After years of enduring a leaky roof, Maketu Woman Tauira Royal is now enjoying a warm, dry and mould-free house thanks to the hard work of Sustainability Options and the RNZRSA.
Mrs Royal had spent years trying to get help, and it wasn’t until she was referred to Sustainability Options in December 2021 with a “profusely leaking roof” that things really started to happen.
Sustainability Options immediately sought advice on options for the repair, but were told that the roof was too badly damaged for patch ups or temporary repairs and full replacement was required.
Sustainability Options had limited ability to fund a full roof repair through their 20 Degrees funding and needed to source additional support.
After exhausting almost every avenue, in January 2023 they reached out to the Mt Maunganui RSA to see if any funding would be available to support Mrs Royal who is the widow of a Korean War veteran.
The support advisor from Mt Maunganui RSA saw the immediate need for action and due to the high cost of the repair, sought support from the RNZRSA’s National body.
The RNZRSA worked hard to bring together a number of funding streams including local RSA’s and the RNZRSA’s National Poppy Trust, and in July 2023 confirmed they were able to provide the majority of the funding required to replace Mrs Royal’s roof.
With funding in place, Sustainability Options swung in to action and engaged Iron Clad Roofing to complete the roof replacement. Recognising the urgency of the situation, Iron Clad Roofing got to work immediately and within three weeks the roof was installed.
Reflecting on the journey to her newly dry home, Mrs Royal said her husband had always looked after her, her whānau and the wider community. Now he has helped her once again, as his service to New Zealand gave her access to support from the RNZRSA.
