Interact Club Blood Drive Saves up to 225 Kiwi Lives.

Friday 7 August 2026 saw Glendowie Colleges School’s Interact Club lead the success of their continued partnership with New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS).

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our students and staff (NZBS medical team and Glendowie College faculty alike), 75 people successfully donated blood.

A single blood donation can save up to three lives. Our school community has collectively helped up to 225 patients across New Zealand in need.

From early morning, Interact club members saw the fruition of their tireless recruitment and appointment coordination. They felt fulfilled by guiding first-time donors and looked after the much-loved post-donation refreshment station. For many senior students, today marked their very first-time donating blood, overcoming nerves to give back to the wider community.

New Zealand Blood Service requires over 5,000 donations every week to meet nationwide demand for blood and plasma. The plasma and blood collected today will go directly to helping cancer patients, trauma victims, new-born babies, and individuals undergoing emergency surgeries in hospitals.

The Interact Club extends a massive thank you to everyone who booked an appointment, the brave first-time donors, and the wonderful NZBS mobile team who made the day run so smoothly. Your selflessness embodies Glendowie College's spirit of care through “manaaki,” and interacts unyielding commitment to service of those in the community.

Glendowie College looks forward to another year moving the community to donate for those  in immediate medical need with New Zealand Blood service in 2027.

FUTURE MEETING WITH DUTY DETAILS:

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Thursday 20 August – Breakfast Meeting

Time: 7.00 am
Speaker: Ian Furlong – Glen Innes Food Bank

Snap Chat: 5-minute talk Lindy Esslemont - 

Duty Roster

• Equipment: Rob Hall
• Meet & Greet: Kevin Kevany
• Reception: Penny McGarry
• Host / Thanks / Close: Julie Louie
• Sergeant: Linda Etwell

Friday 28 August – Fellowship Evening

Time: From 6.30 pm
Venue: FISH, Stonefields Remember to book with Lindy

An evening out with Club members & friends for chit chat and good food.

Big Fish Stonefields

10/40 Stonefields Avenue

Friday 28th August at 7.00pm

Specializing in Modern Asian Cuisine           

To book our tables, please advise before 20^th August to:

Lindy Essslemont: liness1910@gmail.com

September

Thursday 3 September – Dinner Meeting

Time: 6.00 pm
Speaker: Max Harris – Labour Party Candidate

Snap Chat: 5-minute talk Aubrey Richardson-Jones 

Duty Roster

• Equipment: Angus McFee
• Meet & Greet: Penny Leyland
• Reception: Ruth Wheadon
• Host / Thanks / Close: Liz Gunn
• Sergeant: Murray Hutchinson

Thursday 10 September – Committee Meeting

Time: 7.00 am
Venue: Huddle Café

Thursday 17 September – Breakfast Meeting

Time: 7.00 am
Speaker: Liggins Institute
Topic: How New Zealand Research is Changing the Future for Preterm Babies

Duty Roster

• Equipment: John Lewisham
• Meet & Greet: Graham Fabian
• Reception: Isabella Tedcastle
• Host / Thanks / Close: Peter Buchanan
• Sergeant: Linda Etwell

Thursday 24 September – Fellowship Evening

Night at the Theatre – The Cottage

Enjoy an evening of laughter with The Cottage, a comedy where secrets spill faster than the tea.

Please note: Twenty tickets will be pre-booked, so be quick to secure your place.