Thiruvananthapuram: Any surplus household item that is not essential can be donated to people who have lost everything in the recent all-consuming flood. In a unique initiative, the Rotary International district 3211 here plans to garner household articles, including furniture and electronic items that are kept aside because of minor defects. They will repair and refurbish the items and pass them on to flood victims who need them.

Extra sofa, chair or a table at your home could be donated. Those who want to donate new ones can do that also. The Rotary will not accept money.

Electrical goods and television sets that are being donated should be in working condition or usable after minor repair. Those who cannot reach the collection centres can WhatsApp the images of what they have to offer. The volunteers will later collect the items.

Students are also invited to join the drive. Items can be collected from own homes or from neighbours or acquaintances.

The donation programme, entitled 'Mission New Life', was conceived by former Rotary District Governor R. Raghunath. The Institute of Interior Designers supports the mission. A formal launch of the noble drive is planned at Manaveeyam Veedhi at 6 pm on September 7. Minister Kadakampalli Surendran will inaugurate

Items will be collected at six locations in the city. The centres, which will be manned by student volunteers. are at Manaveeyam Veedhi, Vazhuthakkad Rotary Institute, Kims-Kumarapuram, the Rotary Towers, Ambalamukku District Co-operative Bank building, the Regional Institute of Engineering (near the airport), and the Akshaya Centre on Kazhakoottam-Kulangara temple road.

Donations are accepted from 9 am to 10 pm. For more information: 79947 44164/44515.

Rotary International is a global organization that aims to provide humanitarian service and prmote goodwill and peace.

A plea from the organisers: Kindly do not use this as an opportunity to dispose off unusable things. Please measure the utility of the products that you are donating, keeping in mind that those waiting to accept them are not lower than us in any sense.