On Tuesday dozens of bags full of linen, gowns and blankets were picked up from a Charlestown garage to be packed in shipping containers bound for Vanuatu.

They were donated by Hunter Health Support Services, deemed no longer to be required or up to standard by hospitals in the Hunter New England Area.

For 10 years, local Rotary clubs have worked with the service and together they find a new home for the unwanted or unusable linen in a country of need.

Over the past decade up to 12 tonnes of linen have been donated from the Hunter area alone.

Adamstown-New Lambton Rotary Club president Lyn Thorpe said the linen would end up in a shredder or as landfill if Rotary clubs did not pick it up.

She said this load of linen had been earmarked for Papua New Guinea, but after Vanuatu's devastation it was redirected.

Novocastrians' generosity continued when The Salvation Army launched its Vanuatu Cyclone Pam Disaster Appeal. Newcastle former mayor Jeff McCloy kicked it off with a $1 million donation.

Salvation Army Major Bruce Harmer said Cyclone Pam has caused extensive damage to communities in Vanuatu, especially those in more remote islands.

"Some have been forced to drink salt water in an attempt to remain hydrated whilst many have begun the long and costly process of putting their lives back together, one small step at a time with almost no support," Mr Harmer said.

The Salvation Army says there is a humanitarian disaster unfolding with more than 100,000 people in need of shelter, healthcare, clean water and sanitation facilities.

A wide range of interventions are being carried out to make sure the basic needs of life are made available, as well as trauma counselling.

Mr McCloy called on businesses, individuals, sporting groups and churches across the nation to get behind the appeal by donating generously.

"With Australia being such a close neighbour, we need to do whatever we can do to lend a hand," Mr McCloy said.

■ Go to salvos.org.au/cyclonepam or phone 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) to donate to The Salvation Army appeal. The Red Cross is also running a Cyclone Pam (Vanuatu) 2015 Appeal, go to redcross.org.au or phone 1800 811 700 to donate.