My Fundraising Story – The Ripple Effect of a Garage Sale!

June 10, 2025 | Event, Funding, News

Why I’m fundraising for MSNZ
Having worked as an administrator at MSNZ over the past 18 months, I’ve seen first-hand what makes this charity so worthy of support. MSNZ works with 18 MS regional societies across the country, each providing vital local services and on-the-ground support to people in their communities. But MSNZ’s impact extends far beyond regional support, they actively advocate at a national level, lobbying government and pharmaceutical companies for better services for people with MS.

What impresses me most about MSNZ is how their advocacy work creates ripple effects that benefit everyone. When they push for policy changes that help people maintain their independence and remain contributing members of society, these same policies often support others with disabilities too. Their focus on securing quicker access to more effective treatments isn’t just about individual care – it’s about recognising that time matters with MS, and early intervention keeps people healthier, more independent, and less reliant on our health system.

This approach benefits all New Zealanders. When people with MS can access the medications and support they need to manage their symptoms effectively, they can continue working, volunteering, and participating fully in their communities. That’s the kind of forward-thinking advocacy that deserves our support.

My Fundraising Story – The Ripple Effect of a Garage Sale!
When Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand advertised Ride for MS 2025, an incredible opportunity to cycle through Cambodia, and raise $3,000, I found myself humming and hawing for weeks. The challenge wasn’t just the fundraising – it was the 30-40km daily cycling requirement for someone in their mid-50s who hadn’t exercised in quite some time.

But then I thought: “What an amazing opportunity!” This wasn’t just about seeing Cambodia; it was about challenging myself physically while supporting an organisation that advocates for medications and accessibility across New Zealand. The $3,000 target would keep me accountable to train hard and make this adventure truly meaningful.

When I told my partner I was doing it, he chuckled and said “go for it.” But as I started planning – reading literature, creating training schedules, shopping for gear – he developed serious FOMO. Suddenly, we were both going to Cambodia!

The Wood That Changed Everything
Now we needed to fundraise for two people. I explored the usual options: sausage sizzles, cake stalls, market booths, garage sales. Then inspiration struck. We’d had timber sitting in our shed for three years – perfectly seasoned and ready to use. My partner, Sean, could even offer his woodworking skills to process the wood for buyers.

Our first Facebook Marketplace ad went live over Easter weekend: $50 per piece of timber, $20 extra for Sean’s professional cutting and thicknessing services. We kept the promotion simple and budget-friendly, just three days to test the waters.

The response was immediate. Texts poured in from people wanting to view the wood.

More Than We Ever Imagined
That Easter weekend, we sold around $1,000 worth of timber. We were absolutely stunned! But the real magic wasn’t in the sales – it was in the connections.

People travelled up to 50km to visit us, bringing their children and pets. They shared stories about loved ones with MS and told us about their exciting projects: handcrafted tables, bench tops, game boards, bars, stools, coffee tables, taiaha, bread boards, paintings, and platters. We realised how disconnected we’d become from our community, and this simple sale was exactly what we needed.

The Ripple Effect Begins
Over the following weeks, something extraordinary happened. Customers returned two, three, even four times – not just to buy more wood, but to show us what they’d created. One generous person offered to make something specifically for MSNZ to auction.

That’s when the lightbulb went off. I started asking returning customers: “If I gave you the wood, would you create something we could auction for MSNZ?” The response was overwhelming. People began crafting donations, turning our simple garage sale into a community art project for charity.

The Incredible Outcome
A few weeks later, we’d achieved something remarkable:
• ✅ Raised our full $3,000 for MSNZ each.
• ✅ Cleared out our shed (and it feels amazing!)
• ✅ Connected with incredible community members we’ll stay in touch with
• ✅ Inspired ourselves to start our own woodworking projects
• ✅ Generated ongoing auction items for MSNZ’s future fundraising

AND we still get to go to Cambodia! And improve our health! It truly is the gift that keeps giving.

The Tax Bonus Most People Don’t Know About
Here’s something that might surprise you: when you fundraise, like we did with a garage sale, and donate to registered charities like MSNZ, they provide donation receipts. You can claim one-third of your donation back through IRD as a tax rebate.

For my $3,000 donation, that means $1,000 back! I can use this toward my Cambodia flight costs, start next year’s charity challenge, or even donate it back to MSNZ (which would generate another tax rebate of $333 the following year).

Why You Should Take the Challenge Too
If you’re considering joining MSNZ’s Cambodia cycling challenge, just do it. Start small with your fundraising – you might not love garage sales like we did, but MSNZ and Inspired Adventures offer over 100 fundraising ideas.
Remember, fundraising brings more than money. It creates connections, shares stories, and builds community. Plus, with that IRD rebate bonus, the financial impact is even greater than you think.

And hey, you might just inspire someone else to get FOMO and join you – like Sean did with me! 😊

Don’t forget to claim your donation rebate from IRD – it’s money back in your pocket for doing good!