Being vision-impaired is not stopping Christine Norman from seeking ways to bring light and cheer to others.

The Tauranga woman has opened a post office box so that she can write to and receive letters from people who may be shut in or experiencing isolation.

'I got one of those ‘That's Life' magazines from the op shop and read an article in there about Abbie Williams.

'She's 24 and living in the Gold Coast. She wondered how she was going to connect with her nana and grandad back in the UK and realised she'd have to write a letter because they don't do Facebook or email.”

On an invalid's benefit and experiencing the challenges of life with complications from diabetes, chronic fatigue and anaemia, Christine Norman wondered if there may be people living in New Zealand who might like to receive a letter.

'I was inspired by Abbie. She writes what she calls ‘Letters of Hope', writing to people spreading some good cheer.”

The idea behind Letters of Hope is to show people in their darkest hours that there are good people, people who care and people who will take time out of their day to make them happy.

'She is worldwide and has written more than 700 letters. I don't think I want to go that far. I just want to do Bay of Plenty, but I'll see.”

Christine returned to New Zealand at Christmas after living in Australia for a year supporting her daughter who has been in a Women's Refuge with seven children. She crochets baby blankets for special care units at Tauranga and Rotorua Hospitals, also donating them to the Women's Refuge and community centres.

Christine has decided to call her own letter writing network ‘Friendship from the Fountain Pen' and wants to write personalised letters and cards to people.

'Abbie has really inspired me to spread kindness.”

Word of mouth about her letter writing is spreading through friends, local churches she attends and a Welcome Bay craft group she has been running for about four years.

'Friends are saying: ‘I've got a son in jail' or: ‘I've got a friend who is suicidal'. There's all these people giving me names.

'When I shared the idea with a friend, she said: ‘that's beautiful what you're doing, my son would love a letter, he's in prison, he's a young family man. And he's sharing his cell with someone who doesn't get any phone calls, any letters and no communication from any family'. So that's just two guys there in one prison cell.

'And I was thinking rest homes, because there may be oldies who don't get a letter from one year to the next.”

She plans to deliver some handwritten cards to local resthomes offering the opportunity for anyone to receive a letter.

'I would like to encourage anyone who would like a letter from me to reach out, also if they know anyone who might appreciate a letter.”

If you are having a hard time, struggling with your mental health or simply need a pick-me-up, contact Christine and she will mail you a handwritten letter to brighten your day.

Christine Norman's ‘Friendship From the Fountain Pen' address is PO Box is PO Box 55026, Welcome Bay, Tauranga 3156.