Services:

• Enliven
• Family Works
• Real People
• Cranford Hospice

In August the Hawke’s Bay building community was issued with the challenge of the year – to build a house in 4 days !!

More FM led the challenge and enlisted the help Carters, Certified Builders, and Life NZ Ltd to put together the biggest community fundraising event of the year!

“From that point on a “wow” factor was established and this didn’t let up until the house was auctioned,” says Graeme Milne, Cranford Hospice Fundraising and Communications Manager. “When we got involved we were amazed at the momentum this had and the response from the building industry from there on was truly overwhelming, as was what followed with other commercial supporters who came on board. There was a “vibe” and it reached across and connected to the public as well.”

“The house was fitted with a range of chattels that made it virtually a “home” right from the start, this increased the auction value considerably, and when the Heretaunga Trust came onboard we pretty well had the costs all underwriten” adds Graeme.

The Challenge received support through collections held at by local business, school mufti days and donations, a collection at the Magpies game against Wellington, on site auctions, donations of home baking and chocolate and even posters from schools.

There were also tremendous unsolicited generous donations of food and refreshments from local businesses including; Jesters pies, PPCS Richmonds, VJ’s Distributors, East Coast Packaging, Hells Pizza Napier, Subway branches in Napier, Hastings and Taradale, Pak n Save Napier and the Mad Butcher Napier.

Behind the scenes there were 100’s of volunteers who worked tirelessly and ensured the Challenge was a success.

Certified Builders turned up on mass to be part of the Challenge. “Many of them were on the Thursday morning at 6am and didn’t leave until well after the sun went down that night – only to return at 6am the next morning !” says Linda Walsh, Cranford Event Manager. “At times these guys were practically running, watching them work so well together to accomplish a shared goal was inspiring”.

“Subtrades were practically invisible, working around and within the hype of the building to ensure that the electrical and plumbing was completed in time.The Maori Wardens and their supporters provided 24hour security on site. Havelock North Rotary Members did a fantastic job of managing parking and collecting from visitors to the site.” adds Linda.

“There was even a lady who came down to see the building and was coaxed in to collecting at the rugby. She had so much fun she even returned on the Sunday wanting a job – which we promptly found!”

In total the Carters Cranford House Challenge raised $256,369.60 for Cranford Hospice.

You can see photos and a time lapse video of the Challenge on www.alphapix.co.nz thanks to the generosity of John Coupland and HB Television who were there to document this awesome undertaking for those who couldn’t be there.