Driving donations for Whakatū Refuge

The Car Company has put its foot on the gas this month to raise money for Whakatū Refuge.

It’s a fundraising partnership that’s now in its 14th year, and for every vehicle sold in October $50 will go to Whakatū Refuge (formerly Nelson Women’s Refuge) to help provide safety and support to those in need.

A Givealittle page has also been set up, with all the funds going to the refuge.

Managing director of The Car Company, Shane Drummond, says it’s a cause that has been close to his heart for many years.

“We’ve been very passionate about this right from the start, and it’s a group that probably doesn’t get recognised and rewarded as they should.”

The team at The Car Company Nelson has supported the cause since 2011, and help is needed now more than ever, according to a spokesperson from the refuge.

“People are reaching out for help more than they ever have before … nobody’s got any money, there are housing issues, we get a lot of people wanting somewhere to go.

“I mean, we’re in tough times, really tough times.”

The organisation operates 24/7, providing immediate safety and support. They have nine volunteers who work on the crisis lines after hours, and around 12 paid staff, all in different roles.

In the last year there has been 2,148 family harm police reports for women and children experiencing some form of family violence in the region.

From these police reports, they work with 62 per cent of people, offering support and providing safety planning. They also received 289 crisis calls and worked with 689 people in their advocacy space.

Despite government funding, they rely heavily on donations.

“We do get some funding from the government and that is our sort of our baseline stuff… the safe house, the educational plans, and the wages. But donations help us with the community stuff, that real sort of heart stuff.”

The refuge says the help from Shane and the team is invaluable.

“We’re really grateful and it makes such a difference, especially with the immediate things like helping out with food, petrol, or accommodation.”

Shane says that last year they managed to sell around 100 cars in the appeal month, and he is hoping to hit or exceed that target again this year.