Grateful to generous family

APPRECIATIVE: The four chosen organisations are thankful for the generous donation of Allan and Jan Sewell. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 290514BF1

Four local community organisations which received a special gift from the Geyser Community Foundation have taken the time to thank their benefactors personally.

A special function was held yesterday to acknowledge the donation from the Geyser Community Foundation Allan and Jan Sewell Family Fund.

This year, Mr and Mrs Sewell made a donation of $300,000 split between four organisations of their choice. BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, Order of St John Rotorua, Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Rotorua and Rotorua Community Hospice each received a $75,000 donation.

Barry Vincent, base manager and pilot of the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, said he was blown away by the kind donation.

"The money donated to us will undoubtedly touch many people and change their lives for the better. We cannot continue doing what we do without the generosity of people like Jan and Allan."

Mr Sewell said he and his wife were fortunate to be able to give back to the local community in this way.

"The Rotorua community has been good to us over many years and we wanted to give something meaningful back. We feel very privileged to be able to do this and are pleased to be involved with Geyser, which is the ideal charitable vehicle for us for the long term."

Geyser Community Foundation chairman Joe La Grouw said he was happy to welcome the Sewells to the "Geyser family".

Geyser Community Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit charitable trust formed to provide a long lasting way for individuals, families and organisations to leave legacies or create funds to support local causes.