A community project which aims to provide cheaper funerals for its members is 90 per cent complete and needs your support to get it up and running.
The New Zealand-Fiji Community Support Services and Projects Trust embarked on the project almost four months ago and is close to making it a reality.
Auckland businessman Sam Achary, the man behind the project, said the bulk of the work had been completed and a little more was needed to see the project get off the ground.
The trust has secured funeral home premises in Lambie Drive, Manukau, and is in need of carpet and chairs.
Achary said they needed about 27 metres of carpet in sizes of 10m, 12m, and 5m x 3.6m.
“We’ve already spent so much money on the project and many people have donated substantially towards it,” Achary said.
“A little more and the project will come to fruition,” said Achary, who has been involved in helping out community members meet funeral costs on a personal level for many years.
They also need 40-50 chairs for the funeral home, said Achary said.
The trust is renting out the Lambie Drive premises at a cost of $12,000 a year, and as part of its fundraising drive, is selling specially designed calendars with prizes at $17.50 a month, to be paid for two years only.
After that the member is entitled to the benefits allowed by the trust – e.g. a member’s relative’s funeral service costs will only be about $2800. A non-member’s funeral expenses will be $3800 – at least a $1000 cheaper than other funeral homes.
Achary said he would like to thank the following members of the community for the services they have provided so far:
* Latchman Gounder, his companies and family for donating a vehicle for the hearse;
* Vijay Kumar, for supplying and doing the painting of the premises;
* Jinna Prasad, for doing renovation work and assisting with painting;
* Vimal Naidu of TIL, for supplying the necessary equipment; trolleys, stretcher etc;
* Rajneel Sharma, cleaning, etc;
* Yajendra Kumar, for donating a three-piece lounge suite.
For now, Achary and his trustees are focusing on carpeting the area and making arrangements for seating.
If you are able to help, please contact Sam Achary on 09 634 5545, 09 634 0437 or 021 395723.
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