By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
THE maintenance of Sunshine Butterflies’ “Our Backyard” hobby farm has become significantly easier thanks to the overwhelming community support to purchase a Hussler sports mower.
Funds for the new addition were largely raised through a raffle launched by Noosa’s Michelle Davies.
With the overwhelming support of community members, groups and businesses alike, the initiative raised a total of $5000.
The raffle was drawn late last month with the prizes made up of generous donations from local businesses, including a three-night getaway at Bali Hai resort, Noosa, a $100 pamper voucher for Adrian J Hairdressers, Sunshine Beach, and a delicious $25 voucher for Dukes Deli, Sunshine Beach.
The lucky winners of these were Meta Georgeson, John Malone and Jenny Smith, respectively.
Sunshine Butterflies then topped up the funds with the remaining $1000 needed to purchase the sports mower, which was heavily discounted by Sunshine Coast Mowers to support the worthy cause.
The hobby farm, located in Cooroibah is the latest project by Sunshine Butterflies and will be used as a therapy centre to help support kids, teens and young adults with disabilities.
Sunshine Butterflies founder Leanne Walsh wished to thank Michelle for her dedication in sourcing the mower and the Noosa community for their ongoing support.
“The end result was just remarkable and I am so humbled by the fact that Michelle saw a post on our Facebook page asking if anyone had an old ride-on they wanted to get rid of,” she said. “Now we have a Hussler Mower – wow.
“It will make such a difference keeping the therapy centre maintained.”
Leanne said that Sunshine Butterflies was also starting a garden service called Sunshine Gardens, from which all the profits would go back into the organisation.
The team will be made up of professionals who will be available for any garden maintenance or landscaping.
For more information or to support Sunshine Butterflies visit www.sunshinebutterflies.com.au.
