Chairperson Robyn Atherton says their vans were bought with the assistance of community clubs and grants.” Photo: Supplied
Pirongia and Te Awamutu community organisations are celebrating getting $29,114 in funding last week.
The Pirongia ward committee received seven applications for discretionary funding, totalling $23,740 and the Te Awamutu Community Board had 17 applicants asking for $68,358.
The Te Awamutu Community Health Transport Trust was the only organisation to receive the entirety of what they requested from both districts.
Their health shuttle provides transport to medical appointments that are outside of the Te Awamutu Area. The Trust’s service is usually funded through donations. But chairperson Robyn Atherton says rising fuel costs and Covid-19 restrictions have caused their running costs to exceed their usual income.
The Transport Trust asked for $3000 to help with fuel costs. Both boards agreed that the Trust’s service is of great value to the community and their application was fully funded. The Te Awamutu Community Board gave them $2000 while the Pirongia Ward Committee gave them $1000.
“That is wonderful, I am very grateful to them, and I will be letting them know that,” Atherton said.
Te Tamawai Trust helps young people in their personal development. They missed out on their funding from the Te Awamutu Community Board, due to being based in Hamilton. The Pirongia Ward Committee however agreed to give them $2000 in discretionary funds, provided the money is used in schools within the Pirongia area.
The Pirongia Golf Club was allocated $1500 out of a requested $9000 to help reseal their driveway. Pirongia Playcentre received $1000 to hire an administrative support person and Te Pahu preschool received $500 for their forest schooling programme.
Te Awamutu’s Brass Band, Community Menz Shed, Māori Women’s Welfare League, Rose Society, Sports and Recreation Club, and Community Hospice all received the funding they had applied for from the Te Awamutu Community Board.
Menz Shed and the Brass Band also featured on the funding list approved by the Pirongia Ward Committee.
Out of the $39,707.38 in discretionary funds that was available across both districts, $10,593.36 was left unspent.
