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Regional | Waiariki

Waiariki Charity House Project provides for Rotorua community

Local charities and community groups in Rotorua have received a share of $30,000 raised from a Waiariki Charity House Project. This year's contribution is the largest amount made through the auction of the project's houses.

The Waiariki Charity House Project is about giving back to the Rotorua community.

“It's really wonderful for us because students and youth can help out our community,” says Dell Raerino from the Waiariki Polytechnic.

Lakes Medical Service Trust received $2000 today to help upgrade the lighting for one of their vehicles. They provide transport to patients who are in a critical condition.

LMST Operations Manger, Glen Downs says, “It's really dynamic, it's amazing how many people we transfer through to different Marae's it's hard to put a number on because some months its none and some months it's five or six we've been even out in the middle of the Urewera which was really awesome taking a gentlemen back to his Marae in the Urewera's for his final hours at it happen to be so he could be with his whānau.”

Waiariki Charitable House began in 2013. The initiative's core focus is to enable students from the institute to build houses like the one behind me.

Raerino says, “The money made from selling these houses is shared out to community groups like those who look after the blind and those who support mental health patients.”

Sue Gunn  from Waiariki says, "The proceeds as you saw today are going to very good charities that will help make a difference in our society."

A new house is being built by students at the institute and will be auctioned later this year. Proceeds will go to charity groups in the community.