A birthday boy bypassed presents in a bid to get a new pool in Mosgiel built faster.
Mason Dunphy turned seven and had a party on Sunday.
During the planning of his party, he convinced his mother, Stephanie Dunphy, to let him ask the 11 friends he was inviting to his celebration to bring money for the proposed aquatic facility in Mosgiel, rather than give him presents.
‘‘I wanted the pool to be built faster,’’ Mason said.
The Fairfield School pupil gave $280 to Taieri Facilities Community Trust member Bill Feather on Tuesday.
He could see the Mosgiel sign from his home in Kinmont Park and hoped the money would result in another letter being illuminated blue.
In May, the Dunedin City Council voted to give $10.8 million towards a new facility if the trust was able to raise a minimum of $3.2 million.
A letter of the Mosgiel sign was being illuminated for every million the trust raises.
The trust hoped to raise about $5 million so a substantial new facility could be built. Mr Feather said another letter would turn blue soon.
‘‘It’s not far away . . .we are pretty close to raising $3 million.’’