Shelter campaign nears halfway mark

GETTING THERE: Kevin and Kiri Swannell (right) told their story at a fundraiser dinner for the Limitless Hope Emergency Shelter Appeal, at Ahuriri's The Thirsty Whale last night.PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

THE SWANNELLS are almost halfway to realising their goal of an emergency shelter for Hawke's Bay, as they race against time to raise $100,000.

About 65 people came to a sold-out fundraiser dinner at Ahuriri's The Thirsty Whale last night. Half the proceeds from the night will go towards the Emergency Shelter Appeal.

Door sales for the event raised about $1500, and as of last night the appeal had raised a total of $42,800, or almost half of the $100,000 it requires. They have three weeks left to reach their fundraising goal.

Community stalwarts Kiri and Kevin Swannell are pushing for an emergency shelter, a first for the region, which would act as a "first port of call" for people in desperate need of housing. Their aim is to convert the donated former Property Brokers office building in Hastings into accommodation, but they have a limited amount of time to move the two-storey building to a new site.

Hawke's Bay Today has launched a campaign, Limitless Hope Emergency Shelter Appeal, to get everything needed to make this happen. Many local businesses and community leaders have pledged their support already.

Kiri said last night the dream of the shelter now seemed within their grasp.

"I think by the end of this week, we'll pretty much be halfway," she said. "We can do this. Thank you so much to everyone that came tonight and supported us."

Regional manager for Property Brokers Paul Whitaker was the night's auctioneer. A diverse range of donated items went under the hammer, including a trial glider flight from Brian Kelly.

Mr Whitaker said the community response to the appeal had been heartening, but the shelter still needed a piece of land to be re-located to.

"There's a public groundswell for this to happen - there's overwhelming support from professionals in the community who want to see this happen," he said.

"We're quite optimistic. The key thing at the moment is still land. We still haven't found a site."

Dinner guest Chris Jenkins said he was proud to support the appeal. He helps the Swannells serve soup to the homeless from their mobile kitchen in Napier's Clive Square on Monday nights.

"I think it's providing hope for people that are struggling. It isn't just about providing a shelter, it's about showing them the community cares," he said.