Trailer of goodies delights local woman and raises money for charity

(From left) Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Club member Lynne Joseph and the club's community director Rachel Warrender, with Leslie Patchell and the trailer of goods. Photo/Supplied

A trailer full of goodies was delivered to a thrilled Rotorua resident this week as part of a fundraiser for the local Kiwi Can programme.

Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Club organised a caged trailer and filled it with goods valued at nearly $5000.

It then sold tickets outside Pak'nSave, which raised $10,500 for Kiwi Can.

The trailer was donated by Pak'nSave owner/operator Neil Foster.

Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Club community director Rachel Warrender says the club holds this fundraiser for a different charity every year in the lead up to Christmas.

The winner of the trailer was local woman Leslie Patchell.

Rachel says Lesley was thrilled, and excited for her 11 grandchildren to see the trailer and to have extra Christmas presents.

The items included a barbecue, a bar fridge, a few hundred dollars worth of groceries, sports equipment, children's toys, an outdoor table and chairs, picnic sets and appliances.

She says the club decided to support Kiwi Can because it is a programme in primary schools which is starting in Rotorua next year, and helps children develop life skills to address issues such as bullying and truancy.

"The positive relationships and things they learn from this programme is really worth while for our community."

Rachel says the club does a number of projects throughout the year raising money for different charities, both locally and internationally.