Te Awamutu locals raise thousands for charity
Locals turned out in their hundreds to support stall holders at the third home expo
Te Awamutu’s third home expo at the weekend has been rated a success with around $16,000 raised for the new Expo Charitable Trust.
This year’s event played host to 61 stall holders from the Waikato and beyond, with just over 900 visitors through the doors.
Home Expo convenor, Kasia Hagan of LJ Hooker, was pleased with the outcome and put it down to the quality of exhibitors and support from the public.
“The exhibitors put a lot of energy and time into what they were doing.”
LJ Hooker Te Awamutu company principal Ken Hagan said the feedback has been positive.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with it; I think it’s just another step up each year.
“The response from the exhibitors has been wonderful.”
Attractions on the day included cooking demonstrations from local Cafe Red Kitchen, the new Deli Alley and the main event – three charity auctions which raised more than $2000 for the new Expo Charitable Trust.
The trust has been set up to provide extra help for charities similar to Cystic Fibrosis Waikato.
Chairperson of CF Waikato, Debbie Wood thanked locals for their generosity and described the support from LJ Hooker as “invaluable”.
“We’re quite a small organisation compared with a lot of other organisations and it’s very hard to get the donation dollars sometimes.
“Letting us have a stand here is fantastic, it helps improve awareness.”
The trust will have a board which allows them (the Expo Charitable Trust) to apply for grants on behalf of other charities.
This year, three auctions were run for items donated to the trust by local businesses: Wooden Tents, Bunnings, and Apperleys Roundwood and Timber Ltd.
Kasia Hagan was impressed by the support of visitors and their willingness to take part in the auctions.
“Everyone got on board with it.”
The playhouse donated by Wooden Tents fetched the highest bid of $1725.
The two other items were a swing set which sold for $315, and a picnic knocked down for $320.
Mr Hagan said the Expo will be back again next year as they are “hooked on it”.
