Linda Brewer (Lions), Colin Brewer (Arbor House Board of Trustees), Lucy Griffiths (Trust House Trustee) Rob Tuckett (Chairman of Arbor House Board), Carol Burns (Lions), Royce Cooper (President Lions), Helen Gray (President Lionesses), David Halford (President SW Rotary), David Bowie (Lions). PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Emily Ireland
Arbor House’s successful fundraising efforts to purchase a new van to transport their residents, has been no mean feat.
The van, an LDV Convoy, seats 10 people and has a modern and up-to-date hoist with full safety features and accommodates a wheelchair.
It was purchased new for $77,000, and is a welcome replacement of the facility’s previous van which was 20 years old and becoming unreliable and no longer safe for residents.
However, Dr Rob Tuckett, chairman of the Arbor House Board said the old van had “served us well in the time we had it”.
Although the trust still has about $20,000 left to pay off on the vehicle, Dr Tuckett said he and the rest of the board and staff were thankful for the “remarkable and generous” support they had received from businesses, organisations, and individuals, some of whom donated up to $5000.
The van is used to transport residents to and from appointments and to go on outings, such as Lake Ferry for lunch, McDonalds for an ice cream, or to Henley Lake. It is also used for their Day Activity people who are picked up and dropped off around Greytown and Featherston Monday to Friday.
Not all residents have family members nearby, therefore, outings are important so residents don’t feel isolated, Dr Tuckett said.
Arbor House, which has only 25 beds, is one of Wairarapa’s three community-owned, not-for-profit rest homes, along with Carter Court in Carterton, and Wharekaka in Martinborough.
Dr Tuckett said rest homes were becoming more clinical, which was why it was important residents had the freedom to get out and about.
Having a suitable van facilitated this.
Though growing, Greytown is still not a big town, therefore, the degree of support from our community is very much appreciated, Dr Tuckett said.
Arbor House would like to thank Lotteries Commission, Lions & Lioness Greytown, South Wairarapa Rotary Club, Greytown Trust Lands, Trust House, Eastern & Central Community Trust, Fresh Choice Greytown and Featherston, and Greytown retailers.
