$30,000 to be given to charity groups in Rotorua

Roof shout at Waiariki Institute of Technology's Charity House last year. Photo/File

Thirteen local charities and community groups will receive a share of $30,000 raised from the 2015 Waiariki Charity House Project.

This year's contribution is the largest amount raised through the auction of the project's houses.

An official function to award the money will be held at Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic tomorrow.

The Charity House Project, now starting its fourth home, is an annual project for carpentry, electrical, and interior design students who build, wire up, and stylise a modern home under expert supervision. It is supported by a variety of local companies, tradespeople and suppliers.

Rotorua charities are invited to submit requests for a portion of the sale's proceeds once the house is auctioned.

Alzheimers Rotorua manager and community liaison worker Elaine Fox said it felt good to be a recipient.

"It's going towards a programme we have, which is our cognitive therapy course."

She said the organisation was receiving $280 and it was going to pay for the rent of the course's venue, St Luke's Church.

Aratika Cancer Trust deputy chairwoman Dr Britta Noske said the trust "always feel very humbled by the support we are given by the community funding".

Dr Noske said it would be getting $2945, which would go towards subsidising a weekend meditation workshop to be run by the trust at the end of either June or July, and helping to pay for the facility used.

Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic marketing manager Sue Gunn said the polytechnic and Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust were proud to support a range of great local charities, "from cancer support and oral language of our tamariki, to the SPCA and the Salvation Army".

"They have very dedicated volunteers helping people from all walks of life and the funds from the Charity House can help make a difference."

Dean of the Faculty of Applied Technology and Primary Industries Kevin Uncles said the polytechnic was proud to give to the Rotorua community through the proceeds of the student-built Charity House.

"The students who work on this project also gain from their association with the numerous industry partners and potential employers involved who they meet through the course of the build.

The following groups have been chosen as the recipients:

-Western Heights Primary School
-Lakes Medical Services Trust
-Mokoia Community Assoc
-Rotorua Community Menz Shed Trust
-Rotorua SPCA
-Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind
-Ngongotaha Community Patrol
-Aratika Cancer Society
-Manaaki Ora
-The Salvation Army Rotorua
-Citizens Advice Bureau
-Alzheimer's Society Rotorua
-Tracey Meads - Spoonful of Sugar