Hi All, Sheesh where does time go? Sorry for the delay of this update. Truth be told we have had a long six weeks of sitting on our hands awaiting the return of the bug from the panel beaters but it has been worth the wait. 227 hours of work has gone into the car and it got wheeled over to paint shop on Thursday to start the prep for paint. We could not be more happy to see it progressing. Unfortunately the chasing of rust meant the deadline of the wedding in May was not hit as the car was still in pieces but the bridal party still arrived in style courtesy of muscle car owning friends and the bride was early! We have been incredibly lucky to gather sponsorship for parts from Josie at Qualitat European Motors Ltd, Wurth NZ, Blackwoods NZ and a huge hand from Repco NZ which has ensured the project can continue. Our project featured in the June edition of NZ Petrolhead thanks to Alistair the editor. Donations have continued to roll in over the past month and have seen our total kitty rise to just over $5000 including proceeds from a phenomenal cake stall fund raiser held at RNZAF base Ohakea where Grant works. It has been a mind-blowing experience with supporters coming out and putting their hands up where they can to help. A brief update about Grant also is in order. Grant was in amazing spirits leading up to the wedding, even so much as getting on his motorbike and coming out to work on some of those cracker late summer days we had which was amazing considering what his body and treatments had thrown at him. Admittedly he did mainly come out to eat his lunch, have a gas bag and then go home. Still to see him in the workshops in his overalls was testament to what a guy he is. He was diagnosed with a chest infection in the week leading up to the wedding but come the wedding night he was up and dancing until midnight. John Travolta eat your heart out! Post wedding has seen Grantfs health take a downward turn and he will be undergoing radio therapy on Tuesday afternoon for three new tumours recently found on his back. He is a tough guy but admits he is tired and sore but determined to not let the cancers get him down. He is of the mind that even though he is fighting a losing battle damned if he is not going to keep jumping each hurdle thrown up in his way and he is fighting. Married life is suiting the Sutherland household very well. Baby Grant JNR is getting bigger and cuter, if thatfs possible, every time we catch up with Des and the babes. Their house is in the throws of renovations as well so happy, crazy, typical family life is par for the course. So going forward we are currently sitting with no dollars left in the bank due to the panel beating invoice. But never being ones to dwell on a bad situation have come up with a plan. I am currently in the throws of organising a fundraiser with Sileni Vineyards in the Hawkefs Bay to cover the final shortfall of the project which we are predicting will be approximately $4000 (100 cases of wine to sell) to get the bug driving and legal. So if you love wine or know of a wine lover point them in my direction! Thanks again for your support. Your help is amazing. Erica and Trev.
