A few more pictures have been posted on the Raglan community Facebook page. We can only load one at a time here...kind regards Rob
We had the official handover yesterday under the big old Pohutukawa tree outside LA LA Land - a good turnout for the event, lots of kind faces and well wishes for Brian and Luga. A crew from TV3 were there to film the event and that will be showing tonight on Prime at 5:30pm and also again on TV3 at 6pm. Thanks again to all those who have made this possible for Brian and Luga. Cheers Rob
Hi team, we are almost done with the fit out and are ready for the hand over scheduled for this Saturday between 8:30am and 9:30am under the big tree at LA LA Land. Come along and have a look at Brian and Luga's new home. We are over budget by $380 (needed to modify water tank and waste water to make it comply) and so we've extend the total amount to see if we can recover some of these costs. Thanks you all again - kind regards Rob and Linda
Thank you to all who helped to make this happen for Brian Luga. We're now busy getting the items ordered and planning to complete the modifications and additions to his van in the coming week or so. We'll keep you posted with pictures as we go. Kind regards Rob
Luga testing out the back bed. Its a bit messy as you can see but we've already tidied up the back setup, there is a pop up table for eating and some storage for Brians books and a very tidy little kitchen in the front. More updates to come. Cheers Rob
2 pictures - this is Brian in the front seat checking out the cabin.
Just letting you all know that we bought the Van today. Brian and Luga checked it out yesterday and gave it the thumbs up before sending it to Joel and Karyn from Direct Tech in Raglan industrial park to give it a pre-purchase inspection (with they kindly donated) - all good to go according to Joel. We have some slight mods to do inside, like fit a better fridge (this has a 12volt cooler inside but its tiny, some roof racks, a pull out awning and a solar panel with basic electrics to power the fridge, some minor mechanical work needs doing and general cleaning and touch-ups on the upholstery. Just a final run to the finish line team, we have about 20 days left till the fundraise end date and we are still a couple of hundred short of our goal. Almost there, thank you all again.
Heya so stoked this has worked out well. I get my caravan stuff from sunnytech, they're great on the phone too. This is the cheapest good stuff they have for kitting out the van. A compressor fridge will use much less power. I also rate the 100ah lifepo4 batteries, but they are more expensive.
https://sunnytech.co.nz/store/default/product-details/172
https://sunnytech.co.nz/store/default/product-details/29/72/0/0
https://sunnytech.co.nz/store/default/product-list/69/0/0/0/0#
We've looked at quite a few vans now, someone even drove theirs down from Auckland to Raglan to show us and Brian, super kind of you guys, and another from Hastings offering to meet us half way. Lots of goodwill here from people wanting their vans to go to a good cause. We have a great option at Te Awamutu and we'll be picking that up on Monday and driving it to Raglan for Joel from Direct Tech to give it a pre-purchase check and for Brian to test it out - keep you posted on the results of that. Photo's to come. We are almost at our target and so great work team NZ for such generosity and kindness. Regards Rob
This process is taking longer than we originally thought, finding the right vehicle is a challenge and so far most of them have too much rust to accept. We've got some options to look at in the coming week or so and we are still hoping to close this out for Brian by the end of January. Thanks again to you kind supporters - Regards Rob
Unfortunately the boys down South have lets us down and that van is no longer available. We are looking at another possibly in Auckland this week and so hopefully, finally, we are getting somewhere closer to securing a deal. Keep you posted, thanks again to those who have given a little. Kind regards Rob
We've been chatting with Jack on the South Island who had a great looking van listed on Facebook Marketplace - he's assured us that this one is in top condition throughout and he's going to drive it to Raglan in a couple of weeks. All going well we'll have a really good outcome on this project. Brian has seen the pictures and he's excited, its got everything he's imagined :) Thank you all again. Well done. Cheers Rob
We travelled to Auckland this morning to look at the van we thought would be perfect for Brian and Luga but unfortunately it was not up to standard. Too much rust that had been poorly repaired...so back to the search. Put the word out team and let's see what shows up. Stay safe over the new year celebrations - catch you all again in 2022. Kind regards Rob
We are almost there now team NZ, just a few dollars more and we can complete this project. We need to arrange for some additional items such as a dog bed for Luga, some new bedding for Brian, a two burner gas stove and bottle, some cookware and folding table and two chairs. Hoping to have all completed and handed over to Brian and Luga by the end of January. Kind regards Rob
I have a big dog bed - let’s know where we can drop it off.
I've spoken with the owner and the Van is being held for a test drive on Thursday the 30th. We'll get an AA report on it as well and I've spoken with Joel and Karen from Direct Tech in Raglan who'll also give it a once over. Additionally, I've arranged with Peter Williams from Raglan engineering to help with some minor mods to the rear setup to make it more fit-for-purpose for Brian and Luga. I also need to point out that the Give-a-little team take 5% of the amount raised to cover their costs of running the platform so we are still just a bit short of what we need to secure this deal. Hope you all had a great Christmas, I'll keep you posted on our progress. Kind regards Rob
We found a great Van in Auckland, its a bit above our original budget but its everything Brain and Luga would need to keep them housed, happy and on the road for years to come. Its $14995 and so if we can squeeze a bit more love out of our generous team NZ that would be fantastic. Here's the trade me listing: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/listing/3374547516?bof=zpwHjf87
I've taken the cap off the goal now in case some others still would like to give-a-little. Merry Christmas New Zealand.
Amazing Raglan community and team New Zealand. We just had a news crew here for 2 hours interviewing Brian so watch the Waikato times. What a great outcome - now we start the search for the Van. Toyota HiAce long Wheel Base in great condition ready for a fit-out or already with some basic fit-out that we can customise. Thank you all...
When I put this page up a couple of weeks ago it felt like a long-shot. I learned just today that Brian sleeps in the front seat so his dog can stretch out in the back of the old Subaru wagon. All your kindness and generosity will make such a massive difference to Brian and Luga's quality of life. Bless you all. Rob
I've increased the goal to 12k so we'll have some more cash to do a better job in fitting out Brians van, like adding some drinking water storage for Brian and Luga and make it a bit more comfortable inside.
See attached image - taken this morning.
You’re a good man Brian looking after your little mate. And thanks to Rob for getting the ball rolling. Merry Christmas to you all . Anne
Wonderful response from all of you so far, very encouraging. I've shared the news with Brian and he's excited with the prospect of his new van becoming a reality. Great work New Zealand. Kind regards Rob
