Cutting toenails to raise funds for Arthritis New Zealand. It’s a novel idea that Annetta Hodges has enjoyed providing to people with arthritis for the past 16 years.

Annetta is 79 years old and cuts the toenails of people with arthritis once a month in Richmond, near Nelson. She charges $10 and all the money comes to Arthritis New Zealand.

She started out by filling in for someone else one day and now, more than 8400 toenails later, she’s resolved to call it a day at the end of the year.

“I decided to stop when I turn 80.”

Dealing with people’s feet doesn’t bother her – she used to be a district nurse and it was one of the first things she was taught to do. Preferring to stick to toenail cutting, sometimes Annetta spoils her clients by giving them a foot massage as well.

“As a lot of the folks say, their arms are getting shorter, they have arthritis and they just can’t reach their feet. Paying a podiatrist is expensive and if they have to go to the hospital to have it done, they can wait months for an appointment.”

In June, Annetta won an AgeConnect award in the “one person makes a difference” category.

We certainly appreciate volunteers like Annetta for helping improve the lives of people affected by arthritis as well as being an active volunteer fundraiser for Arthritis New Zealand. Thank you.

This story was published in the September issue of our Joint Support magazine.