Rescue helicopter services in Otago are $1000 better off
thanks to an open home in Roxburgh yesterday afternoon.
John and Pat Kerr opened the doors of their new home in
Branxholm St, overlooking the town, as a way of thanking both
helicopter services and the community after their old house
was burnt down in a fire on New Year's Day last year.
The couple wanted to recognise the efforts of helicopter
pilots who did a stirling job putting out the fire before it
destroyed other houses, Mr Kerr said.
This was why money raised at the open home would be given to
rescue-helicopter services.
"But we shouldn't forget the work of our own [fire] brigade.
They took huge risks and did valiant work," he said.
"One of our biggest blessings was the goodwill we received
from the community right from the time of the fire. That
carries a lot of weight."
At 200sq m, the new home is about twice the size of the old
one.
It took four months to plan and another eight months to
build, with it being finished in March.
"It was the house we might have built here in another 10
years," Mr Kerr said.
"Because of the fire we just had to do it sooner."
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