The Marshall-Cook family of Wakefield (near
Nelson, New Zealand) awoke on Christmas day to find a playhouse in their yard.
Rosa and Enzo could not believe their good fortune in winning the Wendy house
raffle.
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| The winning family Rosa and Enzo Marshall-Cook with mother Emma admiring the inside. |
“It’s got opening windows” said Rosa and “we
have had friends in for lunch” said Enzo. Both children have also slept in bunks
temporarily installed for the purpose and the children thought that was cool.
The raffle was actually won by a north American
visitor who purchased and gave the ticket to the children’s mother Emma, on the
understanding that if it won, the family could have the playhouse because it is
a bit large to take to the US!
The principal fundraising project for the
District 9970 Motueka Rotary Club, the children’s playhouse is a move away from
erstwhile pigs in barrow raffles, into something having some durability in the
hands of children.
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| Builder Neil Sturgeon rolls out the completed playhouse. |
Constructed
on a platform of about four square metres, the playhouse can also be accessed by
adults wanting to join the tea party inside. Built by Rotarian Neil Sturgeon,
the cladding is durable hardy wall while the roof is of aluminium roof tiles.
Aluminium joinery is used for the windows, and the floor is covered with vinyl
for comfort. The building was tastefully decorated in a sky blue colour with
white trim by Rotarian Peter Holyoake. This indeed is a quality product. The
simple indoor-outdoor flow appeals to any discerning occupant, and is bound to
have other envious neighbourhood youngsters beating a path to the door.
Club organiser
Reg Dysart explained that ticket sales were open for three weeks, and closed on
December 17, 2012 with the draw being conducted on December 18, which left just
the right time to arrange for Christmas delivery of the playhouse to its
delighted new owners.
President Colin Eggers declared that this
successful fundraiser ended with the proceeds of the raffle donated to two
charities - the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust, and the Tasman Great Taste Cycle Trail.
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By Euan Grant,
Rotary Club of Motueka
