Community unites for fundraiser

Helping a mate . . . Jmac Joinery owner John ‘‘Spongy’’ McCarthy (left) and sculptor Steve Molloy show off some of the items left after the fundraiser. PHOTO: CONNOR HALEY

The power of a community coming together was evident at the weekend, the Mates Helping a Mate fundraiser proving an overwhelming success.

Held at Jmac Joinery yard in Washdyke, the event was all about raising money to help a friend and workmate with cancer treatment costs.

It was run as a pop-up shop and auction — no cash donations were taken and everything sold or auctioned was given or created by members of the community wishing to lend a hand.

Jmac Joinery owner John ‘‘Spongy’’ McCarthy said he could not believe the support the fundraiser received.

‘‘It was just out of it.

‘‘Just before the auction I counted and there was probably 450 to 500 people still here, and that’s without all the ones who came through to just buy small things and then leave as way of supporting.

‘‘We want to go through and gather everyone’s names who helped or donated. Then we’re going to try and thank everybody publicly because it’s just been absolutely unbelievable what people have done.’’

Full house . . . Hundreds of people attended the Mates Helping a Mate fundraiser at Jmac Joinery over the weekend. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

He was overwhelmed by the amount they ended up raising, he said.

‘‘For what we were hoping to raise for him we’ve exceeded that by probably another 50%.

‘‘We’re looking to give a bit to an Aoraki trust who are supporting people like we are, so we can put money into their account and they will sort it out.

‘‘We’re still doing the final tally, so we will announce how much was raised when that’s all done. But we are still doing some sales this week and people have promised to pick stuff up, so we’re still just waiting on all that.

‘‘When that’s done though we do still plan at this stage to make a donation to Hospice [South Canterbury] as well for the work that they do.’’

Their ‘‘mate’’ who the fundraiser was for still wished to remain anonymous.

Mr McCarthy said their mate was just blown away by everything.

‘‘He’s kept a very low profile and he’s been a little bit crook too, which hasn’t helped, but he came in on the Saturday after we finished and had a beer with us.

‘‘It’s just one of those things. I understand where he is coming from. It’s been a bit too much for him.’’

It was a team effort to make the whole thing happen, he said.

‘‘I’m exceptionally proud of my staff that dived in and put their weight behind it in many ways,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s been incredible. Sometimes you just need to stand up, speak out and help people.’’

Sculptor Steve Molloy was heavily involved in the event, providing many artworks as well as assisting with the skeleton of how the event would function.

He said he could not believe how successful and hiccupfree the fundraiser was.

‘‘It was beyond expectations. It was so well supported.

‘‘The yard was full and nearly everything sold. It went far above what we could have expected and for the most part it was smooth sailing the whole way through.

‘‘The support was out the gate.’’

For sale . . . The yard was filled with artworks, functional furniture and much more for people to buy. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

After the reception they received, a more permanent shop was now in the works, he said.

‘‘The success has inspired us to now make this a destination to keep selling what is created out of here.

‘‘We’re cleaning the yard and we’re going to stock it full of artworks, functional furniture and other stuff from here.

‘‘It’s going to be massive and hopefully the support will stay.’’

The whole process was a big lesson for him personally, Mr Molloy said.

‘‘I’m usually on my own a lot and I realised and thought about how hard it must have been for him [the mate] seeing all this happening.

‘‘One of the big positives I take out of this is it makes me realise I’m not alone and actually a lot of people aren’t alone.’’

There would be a discussion about holding a similar event every second year with the goal to continue to help others who may just need a bit of help from some mates.

The Jmac yard will remain open for the rest of the week between 9am and 3pm for anyone wishing to stop by and have a look through the items that remain.