Chambers Pines | Resident Stories

Santa’s little helpers come early to bring much needed relief

Ingenia Lifestyle Chambers Pines residents packed their cars and travelled three hours to attend the Stanthorpe Drought Fundraiser, bringing much needed water and supplies to the drought-stricken locals.

Having raised just under $800 through community fundraising efforts, Lyn and Chris Bell, along with Kathy and Tony Pyke, loaded up two cars with water to take up the range to the fundraiser held at Stanthorpe in late September.

Purchasing further water from the total money once there, the Ingenia Lifestyle residents had a total of 1800 litres of drinking water, plus a $200 cheque for the Stanthorpe locals.

The group then stayed the night to contribute to dinner, fuel and breakfast showcasing the generosity people have towards those down on luck and in need.

“I would encourage everyone to make the trip to the beautiful Christmas Farm Shop in the future, well worth the trip.

“The Christmas Farm is family owned and operated where you can meet Santa’s animals, wander through fields of real Christmas trees and savour the smell of pine,” Lyn said.

The residents even had their very own mascot, Lulu, who is Lyn and Chris’ pet Maltese dog, who enjoyed the day and had the chance to met Santa!

Southern Downs Regional District Mayor, Councillor Tracy Dobie, along with Ian Stewart, former police commissioner who now heads the drought relief, congratulated the residents on their fundraising efforts and the support it will provide.

Project Sales Manager, Lynda Ruddell, said the residents have always had a very generous heart towards a wide variety of charities and organisations.

“No matter their personal situation, the residents always manage to chip in either money or their time or skills to help others.”

“It’s heart-warming to see and makes me very proud to be able to help them in any way I can,” Lynda said.