The Upper Clutha is Backing Cold Kids: A Community Effort to Keep Whānau Warm

Cold Kids started because we believe every child and whānau should not be freezing over winter because they can’t afford the cost of staying warm. The campaign brings together a range of initiatives to support families and increasingly, it’s becoming a true partnership between community organisations, local businesses, and generous individuals.

One of the standout contributions this season has been through the Kindness Collective PJ Project, supported locally by The Warehouse Wānaka. Thanks to this initiative, we’ve received a final delivery of over 100 donated pyjama sets for local tamariki. Alongside this, The Warehouse Wānaka has contributed $1,000 to the Cold Kids campaign and supported essential winter items like bedding, heating, and warm clothing.

But what’s been especially powerful this year is the way businesses are finding different ways to get behind the campaign.

Mitre 10 Wānaka’s “Donate a Hottie” promotion is a another great example. With a simple message, buy one for yourself, and one for the campaign, it’s giving customers an easy, practical way to help. These small items provide immediate warmth, particularly in homes where heating options are limited.

At the same time, other local groups are helping build longer-term solutions.

The Wānaka Lions Club, working alongside QLDC, are playing a vital role by cutting QLDC felled trees and processing them into firewood. This is a true win-win, reducing waste while building up dry wood supplies for future winters. It’s a forward-thinking approach that strengthens the Cold Kids campaign beyond immediate need, helping us grow capacity and resilience as demand continues to increase.

We’re also seeing local businesses engage their own communities in support of the kaupapa.

Fit Gym Steps Up for Cold Kids

To celebrate the opening of their new premises in Three Parks, FITGym brought their members together for a day of connection, kai, and energy while also making sure the impact extended well beyond their gym walls.

As part of the celebrations, FITGym chose Community Link and the Cold Kids campaign as their charity focus, making a significant donation to support local tamariki and whānau this winter. Even more impressively, they committed to matching all campaign donations from April, amplifying the generosity of their members and the wider community.

This is a powerful example of how businesses can use milestone moments not just to celebrate growth, but to give back in meaningful ways.

A special thank you to the FITGym team and their members for the support, and for leading by example when it comes to caring for our community.

Support from businesses like FITGym plays an essential role in the Cold Kids campaign, helping us respond quickly to immediate need while strengthening the wider community.  

Whether it’s through donations, promotions, or practical support, each contribution adds another layer to the campaign. Together, these efforts mean we can respond in more flexible, sustainable ways— meeting urgent needs now while also planning ahead.

As the Cold Kids campaign continues to evolve, it’s clear that its strength lies in this shared commitment. No single initiative solves the challenge on its own — but together, they create something much more powerful.

We are incredibly grateful to every business, group, and individual who has stepped up.

Because when a community comes together like this, we’re not just helping people get through winter — we’re building something stronger for the future.