Limitless Hope: More cash on journey to shelter

Kiri and Kevin Swannell.

The Swannell family received one of their most significant single donations this week.

A rotating gourmet dining and auction event held at All Saints' Church Hall in Taradale raised $12,300 for Limitless Hope. Organiser Diana Ellingham said she was grateful to the businesses who came on board to donate almost everything needed for the evening.

Eleven tables sold out with just a few days to go and people gave generously for auction items in order to support Kiri and Kevin Swannell, on their journey to launch Hawke's Bay's first ever Emergency Shelter. Ms Ellingham first crossed paths with the pair in her capacity as chairman of the Napier Food Bank and was impressed by their attitude.

"There's a lot of community support for this project, as a couple their vision is shared and supported," Ms Ellingham said.

She said dinner not only served to deliver money to the heart of the cause, but make others more aware of the good work being done.

Since announcing their decision to turn down the former Property Brokers office donated to them, the Swannells are now on the look out for land and a simpler set-up.

"It's a wonderful cause, a worthy cause and there's still plenty of backing despite the change of plans," she added.

Mrs Swannell said it was "wonderful" to see people cared about what they were trying to achieve. "We have some brilliant ideas we have to put them into action. Our big thing is finding some land - we want at least an acre."

Whether they are able to use their money to buy something or have it donated, the Swannells are now more passionate than ever about getting the emergency shelter up and running.

They also realise they will need to live on site and have spoken to their children about the possibility their address may change.

"Every few days we are hearing of new cases, this week it was a mum and five kids, last week it was a family of seven - we need this."