The princely sum of $5000 was raised from a one-off concert in Taihape two weeks ago to help Aaron Paki and his family.
Aaron went into renal failure two years ago after a savage flu. It left him on a tough road to survival and waiting, hoping for a kidney transplant.
Taihape might have a population of about 1500, but these people know how to pull out all the stops to support someone in their tight-knit community.
To stay alive, Aaron has to go to Palmerston North Hospital three times a week for dialysis, which is always an emotional journey for him.
Taihape band the Rehab Allstars, with members Rex Bond, Murray Bond, Darryll Hesketh and Paul Holcombe organised the concert at The Cellar.