Old signs to help teen
THERE are signs a novel fundraising auction in Tapanui next month will be a success.
Tapanui resident Brendon Stuart was driving past the street sign at the end of his road on the way to work last month when he spotted something unusual.
‘‘There were two signs up there with the same street name. My immediate thought was, ‘I’ll have that old one for the shed’, as you do, but then things took off a wee bit,’’ he said.
He contacted the Clutha District Council and learned the majority of the town’s 100plus street signs had been replaced and the old signs were set for scrap recycling.
With a longstanding plan to set up a fundraiser for a Tapanui teenager requiring leukaemia treatment ‘‘bubbling along’’ in the back of his mind, the timber worker put two and two together and came up with hundreds — of dollars, that is.
‘‘If I was interested in the old signs, then chances are others would be too, so with the help of the council and SouthRoads we got hold of the stockpile and brought them back to Tapanui for an auction next month,’’ Mr Stuart said.
That auction was planned for 3pm on June 24, and would take place at the local town and country club.
‘‘We’re a small town, so you feel for others when they’re going through a tough time. I’ve got kids of my own, and you just wonder what you’d do in that situation.’’
Blue Mountain College deputy principal Peter Davies’ son Jock (14) is to go to Auckland for a bone marrow transplant later this year.
West Otago was a community that pulled together for one of its own, Mr Stuart said.
‘‘It’s been quite a talking point with people seeing them at the yard. There are some goodies in there like a misspelt Raes Junction sign, and a few first and surnames people might like to get hold of.
‘‘I’d be happy if we just raised $1000. But you never know quite how things’ll take off.’’