Media Release for immediate use: Tuesday 11 November 2008

Royal New Zealand Show Home To Buildathon

At 7.30am tomorrow morning the sound of hammers and nail guns will ring out at the Royal New Zealand Show in Christchurch when the David Reid Homes Buildathon gets underway.

David Reid Homes is building a three-bedroom relocatable home on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by an auction on-site at 3pm on Friday. Net proceeds from the sale of the home will go to Cure Kids.

Everyone involved in the Buildathon is rearing to go and David Reid Homes (Canterbury) Managing Director Kendall Langston says the support from local industry has been outstanding. He anticipates at least 130 people will work on the site at different times over the two days.

“The planning for this project has been underway for months and now everyone just wants to get going and see the fruits of their labour take shape. The whole team is committed to ensuring the Buildathon is a success for Cure Kids and as always our loyal Canterbury suppliers have got right in behind this worthwhile cause.”

Kendall Langston says the Royal New Zealand Show is the ideal venue for the Buildathon as the house would make an ideal holiday home or farm cottage.

“This is a Show with such a rural flavour and people come here from all over the countryside. Once they see the home I’m confident there’ll be a buyer out there who will have the perfect location for this home. It really is going to be the bargain of the Show so I would encourage all interested buyers to be at the auction on Friday.”

Cure Kids is an organisation dedicated to helping young New Zealander’s with life-threatening illnesses. The money raised by Cure Kids funds ground-breaking research and in many cases offers children the only real hope to finding a cure for their conditions.

A number of people will be on-site, supporting the Buildathon. Some of the children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses will be there as Cure Kids ambassadors. Popular kiwi band Opshop will be performing at the Royal New Zealand Show in support of Cure Kids.

Background information on the Cure Kids ambassadors:
Seven-year old Jessica Clark was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2007 after presenting with a tumour above her left eye. She spent four months in an isolation room at Christchurch Hospital, undergoing intensive chemotherapy. She lives in Christchurch with her parents and brother and sister. Jessica has recently finished her treatment and the family are now pleased to be ‘back to normal’. Her favourite colour is pink and nearly all her clothes, as well as her bedroom, are pink!

Stephanie is 14-years old and suffers from a rare immune deficiency. The disorder affects her anti-body system, which means her body can’t fight everyday infections. She is admitted to hospital every month and unless a cure is found she will have to do so for the rest of her life. Steph has a lot of time off school for visits to Christchurch Hospital where she has antibodies put in by drip. But Steph doesn’t let her illness slow her down. She is full of optimism and a ‘can do’ attitude. She is very passionate about spreading the Cure Kids message.

Fourteen-year old Oliver Norman of Christchurch was diagnosed at three weeks of age with acute renal failure and underwent dialysis when he was 12 months old. Oliver became the youngest person in New Zealand to have a kidney transplant at 18 months of age, donated by his father, Mike. Oliver has suffered ongoing problems as a result of the disease. His only kidney is failing and he hopes to get another transplant in the near future. Oliver loves cricket and follows the NRL.

Jordan Kelso is nine-years old and was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 when a tumour was found in his throat after having his tonsils removed and having trouble breathing. His cancer is known as Burkett’s Lymphoma and he underwent several months of intensive chemotherapy to help treat the illness. While he is currently not receiving any medical treatment, his condition is closely monitored with four monthly scans, and he is now in remission. Jordan enjoys rugby and rugby league, swimming and playing soccer.

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