When Griffin Hadland (then 14) asked for an iPad for Christmas, his parents Ian and Jo decided they would not fund it outright.
''We have a strong belief that for big-ticket items, getting the youngster to part fund it through their own hard work means they will realise the value of the item, and look after it,'' Mr Hadland said.
Eventually it was decided he could split a load of wood and his parents would auction it to help him raise some funds.
Their online listing received 6700 hits.
The Christchurch people who won the auction at $152 did not want the wood.
''They were just happy to support the cause and see the wood donated to a senior citizen.''
The family found Peter and Daphne Fraser through Presbyterian Support and delivered the wood just before Christmas.
A grateful Griffin received his iPad for Christmas.
''There were a lot of heart-warming comments on the auction and some great lessons for all of us came out of that - rewards from hard work, charity and the gift of giving,'' Mr Hadland said.
