Raetihi starts a fire appeal trust fund

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 644, 9 July 1996, Page 3

Raetihi starts a fire appeal trust fund

Agroupof Raetihi people have bandedtogether to set up a fund to aid victims of house fires. In recent years, Raetihi has had

more than its share of house fires that have completely gutted the homes of the people concerned. In one case the fire resulted in the tragic loss of life.

As in many small rural towns, people get together and the strength of the town is shown by its generous support of the families and victims of such losses.

Recently, Sasha Brown and Jason McNaught were one such couple to fall victim to a fire in which they lost almost all of their possessions. Raetihi resident Chris Windle has come up with the idea of having a fun day , family get together or some kind of community activities day to kick off an annual event for a fire trust appeal. Chris has several ideas some of which she is hoping will include national personalities and characters

as Buzz O Bumble from Wellington' s 22B radio station, and some of the stars from the TV series Shortland Street. The Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club is about to put their weight behind the project with some Sunday entertainment. There is to be a Sunday afternoon entertainment spot - from 2.00 to 5.00 pm (see classified advertisement) followed by a pot luck dinner. In the evening the adults will be invited to stay on for a country and western ho

down, with pnzes for the best dressed male and female. During the recent fire appeal funds and other support came from both communities of Raetihi and Ohakune. Weston Kirton, Ruapehu District mayor, generously donated $500 to the fire appeal for Sasha Brown and Jason McNaught. He said in times like this both towns were generous

in their support. Those wishing to contribute to the pot luck dinner or in any other way are asked to contact Amiria Teki at 385 4003 or Shirley McDonough at the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club, 385 4089. Through the Trust Bank and its agency, as well as the BNZ, funds of almost $100 were raised with thanks to both communities.