Support the Community - Help Lilian Exton!

Heat Pumps NOW - Supporting Our Community

Cantabrians have become pretty good at community.

After the earthquakes shook Christchurch we started looking over our neighbour’s fences again and asking, “Are you ok?” If there were problems, we pitched in to lend a hand. We didn't do it for our own gain, but because we knew we were all in the same boat and being there for each other made us stronger.

Four years on from those big quakes, we are heartened to see people still pulling together to help someone out, because they believe in what it means to be a community. Lilian Exton is a beautiful and bright 13 year old, about to start year 10 at Avonside Girls High School. Like any teenager, she wants a bit of freedom to go to the mall, hang out with her friends and see a movie. 

However, Lilian faces more challenges than most with her everyday mobility. She has otospondylomegaepiphyseal dysplasia, an extremely rare disorder affecting her growth and joints. She uses a power chair to help with getting around, but her family currently don’t have a vehicle large enough to transport her chair. This means Lilian’s not able to easily go out with friends, without help from her parents, or older sister Melissa.

When Heat Pumps NOW saw how Lilian’s community was helping the Exton family to fundraise for a new car that would be able to transport Lilian's power chair, we wanted to be involved.

On Sunday March 29th, a group of regulars from the Endeavour Tavern, the Exton’s local pub, held a fundraising tournament at the Everglades Golf Club. The weather looked a little grey at first, but the clouds gave way to a beautiful sunny day.

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A Great Day at the Golf Course

Lilian showed us her smooth driving skills in the golf cart.

Ashley and Cameron from Heat Pumps NOW spent the day with Lilian. Along with Nicky and Karen from the Endeavour Tavern, they drove around in golf carts, handing out food and soft drinks to keep the players going once the weather warmed up.

All in all, everyone had a fantastic day and together raised around $2200 to help Lilian and her family. We’d like to say a big thank you to Mitsubishi Electric, The Endeavour Tavern, and Everglades Golf Club for helping to make this day a success.

There’s still some fundraising to go. Mitusubishi Electric have joined Heat Pumps NOW in our support for Lilian, and have generously donated a brand new fridge to be raffled off at The Endeavour Tavern.

Head to the Endeavour Tavern, 87 Effington St in North New Brighton to buy a raffle ticket. The big draw is on April 17th at 6:30pm. Join our community, Mitsubishi, and Heat Pumps NOW in supporting Lilian Exton.

Please Give Generously

Thanks everyone for coming!