Limitless hope: Joy as charity couple realise dream

Paul Whitaker (left), Property Brokers regional manager for Hawke's Bay, Kevin and Kiri Swannell and Andrew Austin, editor of Hawke's Bay Today, celebrate after the target was reached with the $5000 cheque. Photo / Warren Buckland

Kiri and Kevin Swannell's dream of a homeless shelter in Hawke's Bay has been realised after they reached their donation target less than 24 hours before pledges closed.

Their Givealittle page expires tonight and the couple have raised the $65,000 thanks to a $5000 donation from Property Brokers.

The company's regional manager Paul Whitaker said although the target has been reached, the project still required a manager and a local crane company to come on board.

The total raised was the culmination of three years of hard work, fundraising and serving the homeless soup on cold wintry nights

"It's quite overwhelming," Mrs Swannell said.

"We were always planning to hit it, we don't plan to lose," Mr Swannell said.

The charitable couple said they had a "great community response".

"We want to thank everyone involved - whether they donated $5 or $5000, they have all been a part of this journey."

Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin said he was "rapt" after being told the target for the Limitless Hope appeal had been reached.

"What fantastic news for such a noble cause," Mr Austin said. "It's a wonderful gesture by Property Brokers.

"Many in the community deserve congratulations for providing the Swannell's with the backing needed to reach this financial milestone."

Mr and Mrs Swannell admitted there had been times of frustration during the appeal but their passion for the cause kept the pair driven.

"We were used to doing everything and fighting for others but now we have people fighting for us."

They said the entire experience was "incredibly humbling".

Left to right: Paul Whitaker Property Brokers Regional Manager for Hawke's Bay, Kevin Swannell, Kiri Swannell and Andrew Austin, Editor at Hawke's Bay Today.

"We didn't just pluck this idea from the sky, it's something we believed in and now we can see it evolving."

Their initial objective was to bring awareness to the community of the homeless issue as a need for a shelter had not been established.

The appeal, spearheaded by Hawke's Bay Today, aims to provide a safe haven for families in desperate need of accommodation, acting as a stepping stone to get the help they may need.

The two will continue to fundraise and have yet to find land to put the emergency shelter which was donated by Property Brokers.

A timetable is set to be released at the end of September, outlining the next phase of the project.

"This isn't the end it's just the start."