Pictured with the “ResthaVan” are, from left, Alan Wellington, Robin Aylett, Don Harris, Blair Ludlam, Paulo Baldo, Tracy Fairhall, Mike Ross, Tim Ross and Simon Ross and Kevin Monks.
The success of an ambitious project by Cambridge High School “Ext 4” students to provide Cambridge Resthaven with a new van was celebrated when parties involved in the community project gathered to ‘unveil’ the vehicle.
Those who helped bring the project to fruition united earlier this month at C & R Developments’ Hautapu site to welcome the van, wrapped in the ResthaVan graphics created by the school’s Year 13 students.
Friends of Resthaven Foundation chair Don Harris said the project started when the dream to have a new van for residents was adopted by the school’s Ext 4 class as their major project. This group of students planned, budgeted and implemented the Project ResthaVan campaign to fundraise.
The van has already been in use for a few months, but the official unveiling was delayed until all parties involved could get together.
The students fundraised for the van and created relationships with Resthaven residents throughout the process, including through bingo nights, dress-up days, visiting residents and bringing them to the Cambridge High School production.
Ext 4 class teacher Blair Ludlam was proud that the students knew that creating relationships with the residents was as important as the van.
“Very early on a group of students met with the Ross brothers from C & R Developments. The four brothers were incredibly kind to our students as they listened to their vision and offered support,” he said. “They taught them that despite your success, nothing is as important as taking time out and looking for opportunities to support others in your town.”
The Ross brothers approached other businesses, including Jim Wright Nissan, Challenge Cambridge, Cambridge Hire Centre and Wilkinson Transport Engineers to secure the van, thereby freeing up the students to concentrate on fundraising.
Ludlam said he was very grateful to the major sponsors who had donated their time and commitment to Cambridge.
Harris thanked all those who supported the project: “We are so grateful for your wonderful community spirit. The van is perfect, and there have already been lots of trips all around Cambridge.”
