LAKE Macquarie City Council plans to increase the amount of surplus first-aid supplies it donates to organisations in need.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Charities, animal welfare groups and even isolated Pacific Island communities will benefit from the program.
Council's city projects manager Mick Gray said more than 90 first-aid kits had already been donated.
Council has planned to expand the program in coming months.
"Changing requirements mean we sometimes need to upgrade or replace first-aid kits provided to staff in the field," Mr Gray said.
"Historically, older kits might have simply been thrown away, but this program is finding new life for them, and helping the community in the process."
St John's Ambulance Australia and Christian charity City Care are among the recipients of the first-aid supplies.
Some will be used to provide first-aid to people experiencing homelessness.
Other supplies will be sent via City Care to remote communities in the Pacific and in the Australian outback.
Mr Gray said some would also end up with animal welfare groups to help deal with the burgeoning need for bandages and other first-aid equipment in the wake of the recent bushfires.
"Some of these supplies are out of date so they're no longer suitable for human use, but they are perfectly usable in the treatment of animals," Mr Gray said.
"With the terrible number of animals injured in this summer's fires, it's nice to know these items will be put to good use."
Another batch of surplus first-aid supplies is expected to be delivered to St John's Ambulance Australia next month.