Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.

Builder saves couple’s dream

After losing nearly $100,000 in deposits to a building company that entered into liquidation, Christchurch woman Bev Gill and her partner faced financial ruin and misery. That was until Peter Quinn of Quinn homes made them a huge hearted offer to build their home for free if they could pay for materials. Peter had read about the couple’s plight and decided to do something to put it right.

“‘I’d seen something similar in the North Island come up on Stuff, and I’d already decided that if something like that came up [in Canterbury], if I could [help], I’d do it,’ he says. He got hold of Gill and Richards and then went to see them. His offer: His firm would build the home free of charge if the couple paid for the materials.

“‘I [Bev]said to him, “Why on earth would you do something like that?” He just said, ‘Well Bev, we’ve had a really good year, I read your story and I’d just like to give something back.’ “It was really amazing – very, very humbling.”

“The build took place over 20 weeks, with Quinn Homes’ team of four contracted builders as well as electricians and plasterers ‘squeezing it in’ between other jobs. The build went smoothly, with no issues.

“Gill says their new home is ‘really beautiful’. ‘We got so many marvellous upgrades – all the different suppliers that Peter approached were so generous. We got a much better home than we would have had.'” (Source: “They lost $100k when their builder went bust. Then came an offer they could hardly believe,” by Tony Wall, September 19, www.stuff.co.nz).

5 stars – what an incredibly generous and thoughtful thing to do – restoring a couple’s faith and building them a beautiful home – absolute upside!

Ultimate toy collection up for auction

When I was a kid I loved diecast vehicles – Dinky and Matchbox mainly and as soon as I had them they were out of the box and played with. My best friend and neighbour had the same obsession except his was different. His toys stayed in their boxes, he never played with them and he wouldn’t let me near them. He let me look at the boxes and that was as far as that went. So, this week I read with fascination about a massive collection of diecast toys up for auction in Dunedin.

“More than 700 lots will go under the hammer in Dunedin on Sunday, but they are only some of the collector’s 5000-strong collection. While glass cabinets at Dunedin’s Proctor Auction are full of the collectibles, most with their original boxes, there are more than enough for three other auctions. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it,’ said auctioneer Ronnie Proctor, who hopes the collection will fetch ‘six figures’.

“They were collected by an Invercargill man ‘who started when he was 6, and passed away at 86’, said Proctor. Most were in immaculate collection in their boxes, a drawcard for collectors. Proctor said the collection had already attracted overseas interest, with phone calls from Australia, the UK and US. (Source: “‘I’ve never seen anything like it’ – Rare toy collection tipped to sell for six figures,” by Hamish McNeily, September 20, www.stuff.co.nz).

5 stars – the child in me would love to buy a few of those, open the boxes and play to my heart’s content. However, I understand the only reason they are in the condition they are and will sell for big prices, is that they were carefully looked after for so many decades. Great stuff!