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A one-of-a-kind giant wall rug depicting central Christchurch just prior to the Canterbury earthquakes is up for auction to help raise money to build Youth Hub Christchurch.
Local business Belgotex Flooring donated the 3×5 metre rug which has graced the walls of their Christchurch showroom for nearly a decade.
“We’re sad to see the rug go, but if it can help raise money for the much-needed Youth Hub and give another local business the joy it’s given us over the past decade that’s a win-win,” Michael Skinner from Belgotex Flooring says.
The rug’s aerial image captured just prior to the earthquakes encapsulates a moment in time when approximately 70% of the depicted structures have since been transformed or no longer stand.
Its panoramic view includes Canterbury landmarks like the PGC Building, Cathedral, CTV building, Forsyth Barr, Grand Chancellor, Westpac Building, and Crowne Plaza and extends from Salisbury Street to just shy of Moorhouse Avenue.
“We’re really grateful to Belgotex for helping with our fundraising efforts and I’m sure there’s a local business out there that has the perfect new home for the rug,” Youth Hub Chair Dame Sue Bagshaw says.
The Youth Hub is currently under construction at 109 Salisbury Street in the central city and aims to provide everything Christchurch’s young people need to improve and maintain their mental health from supported housing and health and support services to creation and creativity.
Stage One which includes a supported housing wing with 23 bedrooms and a wrap-around services block for a dozen youth providers including Te Tahi Youth (formerly 298 Youth Hub), Youthline and VOYCE Whakarongo Mai is expected to the open in late 2024.
The Youth Hub is continuing to fundraise to fit-out the facility, as well as build another wing of supported housing and a community centre with spaces for recreation, training and creativity.
We urgently need at least $1 million so we can start to build the next stage.
The TradeMe auction closes at 8pm on Wednesday 18 October.