Car raffled off for charity
Graham Hewertson’s clearing of roadside rubbish from Chaneys Corner to Kaiapoi is often overlooked.
But Challenge Waimak wanted to give him some recognition by buying his 1986 Ford Laser and raffling it off to raise money for the ‘‘old chap’’.
Challenge Waimak workshop manager Geoff Hale said Hewertson himself was a ‘‘reclusive guy’’ who didn’t like the spotlight and who was hard to get more than a few words out of.
‘‘He’s a funny sort of character, eccentric is probably the right word,’’ Hale said of the Kaiapoi local who took the rubbish home to burn off.
After failing to renew his license and selling his car to Challenge, Hewertson continued to clear up the rubbish on foot.
When he picked up the car, Hale offered Hewertson a lift to Rangiora to cancel his registration, but Hewertson declined, preferring to catch the bus.
He was the kind of person who ‘‘takes it as it comes’’ said Hale. Challenge Waimak would do any repairs needed on the vehicle before it was won, Repco Kaiapoi donated CV joints and a full service. Jet Boat Base paid for a tank of fuel.
The garage started selling tickets on Monday and sold half of the 300 available by Wednesday.
The winner would be drawn on Thursday October 20, 10am at Challenge Waimak.