Hoping it will rain cash

Pictured from the left inside the community hall, Hinemoa House Chairperson Diana Posthumu and Office administrator and hall project manager Jolanda Nugteren.

Hinemoa House is running a fundraiser selling umbrellas in the hope of a downpour of community generosity.

The not-for-profit organisation, which provides a broad ranges of services to meet community needs, now needs help to complete renovations on its community hall.

In November 2015, Hinemoa House purchased a hall which was moved onto a section next door to its community centre in Hinemoa St, but the costs to renovate the hall started to stack up.

Renovations have cost $70,000 to date, largely paid for by family trusts, grants and individual donations, but Hinemoa House chairperson Diana Posthuma said those funds have run dry.

"There are many people trying to get funding through grants and we are struggling to get a single one," she said.

"I guess it's a sign of the times."

The hall still needs a fence, deck and parking spaces to meet Horowhenua District Council requirements.

The quote for a fence alone is more than $15,000.

The inside of the hall needs plastering, painting, a false ceiling installed, carpet, lino, heating, plus furnishings.

The house has a dedicated team of volunteers but without financial support there are fears work will come to a grinding halt, she said.

"We can see light at the end of the tunnel. We just don't know how long the tunnel is going to be," said hall project manager Jolanda Nugteren.

¦ To help Hinemoa House purchase umbrellas for $25 each, pop into 5/39 Hinemoa Street, 8.30am - midday, Monday to Friday except Wednesdays.