A givealittle page has been set up to support the owners of Ruapuke Motor camp Geoff and Ange Choat following a fire that destroyed much of the personal property. The tragedy occurred on March 1st when an E. Scooter battery exploded in the camp office igniting a fast and furious fire.
Geoff Choat suffered serious burns to his upper-body as he tried to extinguish the fire and has undergone a number of long surgeries. He is still in Waikato hospital and unable to receive visitors. With a long recovery ahead the local community is looking to help the couple with costs and needs during Geoff’s physical healing process and the long road to return to their business.
Donations can be made by searching for Ruapuke Camp Fire Relief at givealittle.co.nz
A total fire ban has been declared for Raglan, the Northern Waikato Region and Coromandel.
The prohibited fire season means no outdoor fires are allowed and all fire permits are revoked.
Despite recent rain, “vegetation is very dry across Waikato, especially through the west of the District," said Fire and Emergency District Manager Daryl Trim,
"With no rain forecast for the next few weeks, these dry conditions are set to continue”.
"There were 115 vegetation fires in Waikato in January and February, and Daryl Trim is asking people to avoid activities that can generate heat or sparks.
"Don’t mow the lawns, use power tools, or drive or park vehicles in long dry grass, particularly during the hottest parts of the day," he says.
"These all have the potential to start a devastating wildfire."
The long awaited Raglan Refillery is opening this coming Monday 17th March at 10:30am. Situated next to the Lions Club Op-Shop in a new building in the Raglan Club grounds, it can be accessed via either Bow St or Wallis st and will be open from Monday to Saturday from 10:30 to 4:30.
The shop is a non-profit organisation owned by a community trust which formed after the community expressed strong interest in finding a replacement for SWOP after it was forced out of it’s rental space on Bow St.
The Refillery, with over a hundred lines of stock will be managed by Eloise Deller who used to manage Trade Aid and supported by volunteers - like Trade Aid used to be.
The local community can support the new venture by either volunteering or becoming regular customers