When the Smiths travel to Fiji, packed in their luggage – as well as the usual togs and sunblock – is more than 50kg of rugby balls and sporting gear.

The Smiths – Graeme, Leona, Lana and Elle – first visited Fiji in 2005.

'On our first trip to Fiji Graeme was wearing a Highlanders top and had so many locals admiring his shirt he ended up taking it off and giving it to one of the resort staff,” says Leona.

'Etula Evoni was just so incredibly grateful to have received this that Graeme went back to his luggage and took every branded top he had and distributed it to the other staff. He went home in a floral island shirt we had to buy from the resort!”

Since then, the family has rallied the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Chiefs, Bay of Plenty Steamers and Highlanders, who have each donated previous season gear for the villages. They have also donated netball uniforms, soccer gear and referee uniforms.

The family has made a few more trips to the island and makes plans to visit Fiji every year.

Before their next trip this April school holidays, they're asking for another donated haul of rugby boots, branded rugby gear, or sports team uniforms to take back with them.

'They often have one pair of boots per team and rotate them amongst themselves,” says Leona, who's on the lookout for men's size US10 and above rugby boots. 'Biggest sizes are hard to find,” says Leona. 'One guy is a size 15!”

The family supports two main villages in Nadi, Fiji, with the sports gear. 'It is one of the most humbling experiences we have ever been involved in,” says Graeme. 'We have assisted in raising funds for charities in New Zealand, but I have never seen anyone as happy as these guys when you give them something so simple as a rugby ball or a T-shirt.”

On a trip from Volivoli to Denarau, the family stopped at the villages and threw rugby balls from the car. 'The joy that this brought the villagers was heart-melting,” says Leona. 'You'd have thought we were throwing them gold! They are such grateful, humble people.”

'We took rugby balls to distribute on that trip because on our previous visit our girls were playing with the village kids and they said: ‘Dad, you have to get them some balls, because they're kicking around empty coke bottles or coconuts',” says Graeme.

'We're privileged that we can help in the way we do,” say Lana and Elle.

Leona tears up just thinking of their encounters with the village people and the connections they've made.

'These people are truly beautiful, uncomplicated, grateful and happy. In both villages we've been included as honourable ‘family' and Graeme is considered a ‘brother' to these men.”

Semi Kalisinu phones Graeme once a week after meeting his family.

'Semi had just lost his wife through cancer and is raising his three daughters on his own, with the help of his village,” says Leona. 'We now support Semi and his daughters financially and give them clothes, shoes and other bits and pieces from our girls as well as donate lots of gear to them and their village every time we go over.

'He phones Graeme at least once a week, especially when there is rugby on. He calls Graeme his brother.”

To donate rugby boots, branded T-shirts or sports gear, contact Leona on 0274986425. The family is happy to collect donations.