Plans are afoot for Cromwell Rotary and the Cromwell Lions Clubs to jointly undertake a house-building fundraising project where a house will be built with the support of the Cromwell community and sold at auction. All profits made will be donated to the St John Central Otago Station Rebuild in Cromwell.

This fundraising project will provide a wide range of opportunities for local businesses, contractors and tradies to donate their time, skills, experience and products to help secure the future of St John Cromwell.    

Land has been identified at Prospectors Park.  Local architect, Jessie Sutherland of S A Studio, has designed a beautiful open plan 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home.  The team at SBS Bank have agreed to support the project by providing bridging finance when required, as well as their time.   Already Trends Kitchen have kindly donated a kitchen for the home and Beggs Security have agreed to provide all locks and a security system.

Cromwell lawyer and Rotarian, Doreen Evans, who is leading the project says she has been overwhelmed by the positive responses she has received to date.  Ms Evans believes this project will enable the community to support St John, who in turn provide support to members of the community when they are at their most vulnerable due to illness or accident. "The Cromwell community is full of so many positive and supportive people and businesses that I'm sure this project will be a huge success.  It will certainly help secure the future of St John Cromwell.  I'm already being approached by many local tradies and businesses who've heard about the project and are keen to be part of it."

To launch the project, a meeting is being held at AWS Legal offices on the corner of Barry Ave and McNulty Road on Tuesday Sept 17 at 5pm.   Speakers will present the project to members of the community who would like to get involved, in particular contractors and tradies as well as suppliers.  Please do come along to learn more, have your questions answered, and register your interest.  Drinks and BBQ will be provided.   If you are unable to attend on the night but would like to be involved, please call Doreen on 445 4111 or 027 277 0972 or email doreen.evans@awslegal.com.  All support is very welcome.  This is going to be a very exciting venture. 

Following Rotarians’ efforts during the week bunching and distributing daffodils to local businesses, efforts continued on Friday at New World.  The Cromwell Rotary club has a long history of helping support the Cancer Society with their spring appeal, with funds raised going towards vital research into better ways to detect, treat and reduce all forms of cancer.  They also help fund a range of support services, information booklets and health promotion activities.  Club members were, as always, impressed by the generosity of the community in supporting this well recognised organisation.  The streaming sun brought an extra dimension to these welcome harbingers of Spring.