Methven centenarian Audrey Lilley is fronting a new fundraising campaign to raise $101k money for a new home.
The 101-year-old, and her friends, are taking part in Audrey’s 101 Challenge – walking 101 laps in the next four weeks to raise the funds.
It is the final amount needed to finish Methven Care Trust’s new care home, Methven Central, set to open in November.
“I’m hoping to move to the new address,” Audrey says, with a smile.
‘‘I can’t wait to see the new place. It’s going to be wonderful to have more space and modern amenities.’’
Audrey is taking a leaf out of the page of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore in England back in 2020.
Then approaching age 100, he did a 100-lap garden fundraiser for the United Kingdom’s national health service.
Others are also encouraged to support Audrey’s campaign with their own 101 challenges to raise funds for the home. It could be 101 steps, 101 cupcakes sold, or $101 raised.
All donations, up to $30,000, will be match by Methven businesses, Philip Wareing Ltd, Molloy Agriculture Ltd, and Jackson Holmes.
Audrey, who is in promotion material for the campaign with her son Bruce, was born at Methven House in 1924, when it was a maternity hospital.
After a lifetime living in the district, farming with late-husband Bruce, the former hairdresser came full circle when she returned to Methven House at the age of 85 for rest-home care.
By then it was a 14-bed facility with 24-hour care.
It opened in 1977.
Since then, Audrey has enjoyed the freedom offered at the home, tucked away in the back streets of Methven.
‘‘I just love the respect we get, the camaraderie, of knowing you can go into your own room for quiet time, and you can come out into the lounge,’’ she said.
Son Bruce, who also lives in district, said having his mum living in Methven had been a godsend for the family.
‘‘I wouldn’t like to take mum out of the local environment because she knows all the people. If she doesn’t know them, I know them,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a win-win really.’’
The trust’s new purpose-built care home will be a 26-bed care home facility specifically designed for the Methven community.
Meanwhile at Methven House, balloons hang from the ceiling in the hallway, and there is a large board for recording the challenge’s 21-day project, which ends on October 25.
‘‘I’m hoping to go to the new address, but we’ll just leave that…’’ Audrey said, tapering off.
‘‘We’ll leave that to mother nature,’’ Bruce finished for her.
‘‘I’m very happy where I am, but we must progress,’’ Audrey said.
DONATE:
A givealittle page has been set up for Audrey’s 101 Challenge, and to support the build, Methven businesses, Philip Wareing Ltd, Molloy Agriculture Ltd, and Jackson Holmes, will match every dollar donated – up to $30,000. The campaign runs until October 25. Donate at Audrey’s 101 Challenge via givealittle.co.nz
