Ruth Collingham has a job on her hands, driving the fundraising campaign for Wakefield’s estimated $2.5 million share of its long-awaited community hub.
It might not have a definite location yet, or a design, but the fundraising is seriously underway and providing the hub project goes to plan, the community has until about mid-2027 to achieve its target.
Hence the reason the Waimea South Community Facility Charitable Trust has employed Ruth in a part-time role to seek donations, organise events and work with locals on fundraising projects.
It helps that she has a background in strategic planning for boards, encouraging people to work together and generally getting people excited about things which she says is exactly what she plans to do in Wakefield.
“People are really proud of Wakefield; it’s got a very strong sense of community and a strong sense of identity. Everybody has a connection to Wakefield, even if it’s just stopping for a pie.”
The community hub, she says, needs to be a place that means something to the community and being part of the fundraising process helps people to feel that.
“The hub is more than just a building and that’s my message. We know we need to build connections more and we’ve seen that with the floods. We need to make our wider community stronger and if the wider community is stronger, we are all stronger.”
Building the hub needs fundraising though and Ruth says it’s not just about the big sponsorships and events, but also the individuals who donate one-off sums or set up regular donations and already, there’s locals donating $20 a month. She says that gives people a feeling of ownership and connection to the building.
“If you feel like it belongs to you and you feel like you own it, then you will use it and care for it.”
Her job will also involve seeking grants, encouraging bequests, approaching local and regional businesses for funds and sponsorships, and maybe even crowdfunding.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a massive legacy project – making your mark as an individual or organisation.”
Wakefield Country Players has kicked it off by gifting $10,000 and will be giving the town hall a makeover at the end of September to create a haunted hall, where local actors will add the excitement, surprises and probably a touch of fear for those who dare to explore.
“The haunted hall is an example of a community group that came to us and said they had a great idea for fundraising, and we help them make it happen.”
If groups have ideas for fundraising, Ruth has packs of information ready to go that outlines tips and tricks for a successful fundraiser, as well as how to access branding and publicity. Donation forms at www.waimeasouth.org.nz
