By JARROD POTTER
GROWING up in a safe environment is something many of us take for granted.
But for far too many kids in Victoria that isn’t a choice, as they’re left to seek refuge elsewhere – even if it is on the streets.
Constructing a stable future for Melbourne’s at-risk children inspired Fairhaven Homes to roll up their sleeves and do what they do best – build a house.
There was no downtime over the weekend for the Berwick-based builders as the drills and saws spun all day Saturday to build a house – albeit on a smaller scale – as their custom cubby house will be part of in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show’s Cubby House Challenge.
It’s all for charity as every cent raised from the sale of the cubby goes to Kids Under Cover – an organisation that takes an early intervention approach to preventing youth homelessness.
Decked out just like the company’s geometric logo, bidding on the Fairhaven cubby house is expected to start at $6000.
Fairhaven Homes director Rodney Radings was thrilled to see his company get involved with the Cubby House Challenge and everyone at the organisation was ready to get stuck into building the best cubby possible.
“All these guys are giving up their time for homeless kids and the cubby will be auctioned off at the Flower Show with all the proceeds going to charity,” Radings said. “There are about six builders across Melbourne that are doing it.
“We started last week, frame and everything and the cladding went up – internals and there will also be bunks and a kitchen.”
It’s not just the cubby for Kids Under Cover though, as there are many charitable partnerships Fairhaven Homes wants to help build over the years.
“For Fairhaven obviously it’s a good cause with Kids Under Cover … we give to the Peter MacCallum Institute, give to all the local football clubs and we’re involved in quite a bit,” Radings said.
“As the business grows we want to be involved in a lot more of that local stuff as well.”
Fairhaven Homes wanted to thank its local partners and sponsors who donated their time and resources to help construct the cubby.
For more information on donating to Kids Under Cover or seeing the Cubby House Challenge, visit the website www.cubbyhousechallenge.org.au.
