Organisations get slice of profits from Charity House auction

More than 20 local organisations have received a slice of the record breaking $46,000 raised by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology's 2016 Charity House.

Among the donations included $7000 to Waiariki Women's Refuge and $5000 to KidsCan Charitable Trust.

The organisations gathered at the institute's Mokoia Campus today where they were presented with the cheques.

Toi Ohomai marketing manager Sue Gunn said the project, currently in its fifth year, was a "triple win".

Students built a house which was then auctioned to benefit local charities.

"The project gives the students the hands-on skills needed in the construction industry, it allows businesses in the trade industries to partner with the institute and it allows the institute to give back to the community."

Ms Gunn said the Charity House project created a legacy for Toi Ohomai and its students.

"We have prospective partners now approaching us wanting to be involved in the project because they have heard and seen the positive impact the Charity House has in the community.

"We also have the students from this year's Charity House at the proceeds ceremony so they can see first hand how we are helping in the community."

Alan Solomon was at the ceremony to accept a $2397 cheque for the Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust.

He said the money would go towards "breathing life back into the Kowhai cafe".

"We've had four funding applications declined prior to finding out we were successful in getting this one. The team was really excited because it will mean we can get some new furniture for the cafe.

"Our kaupapa is supporting the young people in Rotorua so we want to provide a facility where they feel comfortable."

Rotorua Girls' High School students Te Ao Leach, 16, and Teina Cassidy, 16, received the cheque for $1500 to go towards the inaugural One Chance Youth Awards.

Te Ao said the donation meant they could "make the awards the best they can be".

"We've been lucky to get a lot of funding so we can get decorations and have the food costs covered - it all goes to making the event better for the people attending," Teina added.

Last year's house, which went under the hammer in December and sold for $200,000, was bought by Hamurana couple Judy and Graeme Hardie.

Charity House recipients:
Rotorua Hospital Chaplaincy Trust: $600
Mokoia Community Association: $1221.39
Alzheimers Rotorua Inc. Society: $334
One Chance Charitable Trust: $1500
Age Concern Rotorua District Inc: $1870
Rotorua Community Menz Shed Trust: $1400
Parkinson's Central Plateau Division: $1500
My Future Rocks: $2000
Kiwi Can Programme, Rotary Club of Rotorua North: $2200
Eastern Suburbs Pre-School Charitable Trust: $500
St Vincent De Paul Society: $800
Ngongotaha Community Patrol: $800
KidsCan Charitable Trust: $5000
Waiariki Women's Refuge: $7000
Western Heights Community Association: $1700
Rotorua Emergency Response Team: $4689
Rotorua Children's Art House, Rotorua Lakes Council: $700
Work Matters Trust: $2978
Aratika Cancer Trust: $770
Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust: $2397
Citizens Advice Bureau: $1400