A Blenheim couple have received an early Christmas present after being granted funding to modify a van they need to get around in.
Linda and Sean Barnes are fundraising for a new van and modifications so Mrs Barnes, who has cauda equina syndrome and uses a wheelchair, can drive her husband Sean and son James around town. Mr Barnes has epilepsy, so cannot drive.
Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition which affects the spinal cord.
The couple received a letter from the Lottery Grants Board on Monday telling them they will get $20,000 toward the modifications, but they need to find a suitable van.
The family lost the use of their specially modified 1993 Nissan Atlas van earlier this year after the warrant expired.
The couple still needed to raise about $40,000 for a van that would meet the Lotteries Commission requirements, Mrs Barnes said.
For the past six months, the family has raised money for their van by selling lollies and socks. Mr Barnes, a qualified builder, even offered his services.
"It shows we're doing things for ourselves and not just asking for handouts," she said.
The couple are organising a golf tournament and a film premiere in February with the help of Marlborough Regional Development Trust president Graham Lindsay.
Mr Lindsay said a woman called him "out of the blue" during the council elections this year and asked him to help the Barneses.
"It was an amazing case of people who have been dealt pretty significant handicaps and have shown great resilience," he said.
"The real thing that made me try to help them is that they'd done so much for themselves already."
Mrs Barnes hoped the family would be in their van by winter.
The two events are still in the planning stages. The charity golf tournament was scheduled for February 25 at Terrace Downs, west of Christchurch.
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