Whitianga Playcentre was the fortunate recipient of a $1600 donation from Bayleys Real Estate Whitianga, this past week.
This was the result of a local fundraising project that Bayleys organised.
The staff put on a BBQ and drinks at the Thames Valley Rugby game in Whitianga on 12 October at Lyon Park as a charity event. They asked only for a donation for their sizzling sausages and in return, all the kohas would go towards a good cause. There were three good causes presented, and the public voted for 1 of 3 causes. Whitianga Playcentre won the people’s vote.
Shaun Paterson, a Director at Bayleys and General Manager, made a special visit to Whitianga Playcentre to present the gift of money.
“We have connections as a business already with the playcentre, so it is very good to be able to come and personally present this gift,” said Shaun.
“We raised far more than expected, and in addition to the $1600, we will also make a small contribution to recognise the other two groups who got involved.”
Thank you We owe a big thank you and appreciation to Liquorland, Anchor, the Fig and Mercury Bay Golf Club who contributed some of the BBQ supplies and raffle prizes for our charity event.
Emma Curtis, president of the Whitianga Playcentre receives the donation from Shaun Paterson of Bayleys Real Estate
Emma Curtis, Whitianga Playcentre President, was delighted and humbled to receive the money on behalf of the playcentre parents and children. “It will go towards the boxing of the sandpit,” she said.
It was clear that the playcentre really needed a financial boost, particularly as a major application for project funding has recently been turned down.
The Informer could see that not only the sandpit needed boxing, but so did the playground area which was pretty much bare of bark having worn away with time. New bark cannot be placed until the boxing of the area is done.
Emma has diligently been preparing quotes for these projects. It was so heartening to know that the Bayleys’ gift from their fund raising would substantially contribute to the cost of the sandpit boxing.
Hopefully, their need for the bark and the boxing for the playground area might also be met in the near future – the amount of $2,800.
Whitianga Playcentre is very well organised and happy and relaxed environment for the children and parents.
Our small children are our most valuable resource for the present as well as the future.
There are some spaces at Whitianga Playcentre – 5 on Tuesday and 2 on Friday.
Emma has invited enquiries: whitianga@playcentre.org.nz.
