The Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust (UCCMT) is holding a playhouse raffle at this week’s Wānaka A&P Show to raise funds for local children’s medical support.

Since its inception in 2009, the trust has provided financial support to more than 600 families facing a range of health needs, and the upcoming raffle will be its major fundraiser for 2026.

CDL Building has donated the children's playhouse and raffle tickets will be available at the Whitefox Real Estate stand on both show days (Friday March 13 and Saturday March 14).

“This raffle is a true community effort with local businesses working together to help us fundraise,” UCCMT committee member Megan Cranswick told the Wānaka App.

Every dollar raised will go straight to the UCCMT and on to local families, Megan said.

CDL Building has donated a children’s playhouse to raise funds for the Trust. 

Upper Clutha families often face greater expenses than city-based families because of its distance from specialist services and care, and some treatments have limited or no public funding.

Megan said the trust supports children facing everything from “general health issues [to] developmental problems and physical needs”.

It has noticed a recent increase in requests for support for children who have either neurodivergence, learning difficulties or anxiety related needs, she said. 

“We have provided an increase in support for assessments and counseling, as for many of these cases the public waitlists are extremely long and these children need support urgently.”

As funding and waitlists change, the types of requests for support do too.

“Recently public funding for a particular diabetes monitor and pen was approved, so we no longer get requests for these cases,” Megan said. 

“It’s nice to see these families have support.”

Last year’s major fundraiser for the UCCMT was the Hirepool Charity Classic Trilogy 2025 golf tournament and this year’s wouldn’t be possible without the support of CDL Building, Whitefox Real Estate and Peak Contracting, Megan said.

“It really is so lovely to have such great support and we are very thankful that these local businesses have come together to help us.”

Buy your raffle tickets to support the UCCMT and go in the draw to win the children’s playhouse at the Whitefox Real Estate stand (A18 on the show Map, near the President’s Lounge).

PHOTO: Supplied