Rural Women Outlook

Congratulations to Rotherham-based member Tracey Topp, whose business Cosy Toes has been named the Most Community Minded Business in the 2011 David Awards. This follows her 2010 South Island award category win in our Enterprising Rural Women Awards.

Tracey set up her online business retailing merino socks almost seven years ago after struggling to find woollen socks for her young children.

The David Awards recognise unsung heroes in home and small businesses whose tenacity, courage and ingenuity place them firmly at the forefront of entrepreneurship in this country.

Tracey has always liked to give back as much as she can to the community, and her most recent project has been helping people affected by the Christchurch earthquakes.

"We live only an hour north of Christchurch and life was carrying on as normal here with so much devastation down the road."

Through her clients and using social networking, she put the call out for and donations of nappies or baby wipes to be sent to Cosy Toes, and from there she made sure the supplies got through to Christchurch.