Teviot Valley Rest Home is getting closer to its dream of a redeveloped garden.

The facility, based in Roxburgh, received $5000 in the latest round of Otago Community Trust (OCT) grants.

A further $14,000 from the Central Lakes Trust means Friends of the Teviot Valley Rest Home, which is behind the garden redevelopment project, is just $2000 short of its target.

Jenny Craig, who re-established Friends of the Teviot Valley Rest Home about a year ago, was grateful for the support the group had received.

She said an area at the front of the rest home will be re-developed to include aspects like pathways and a seating area.

“[We’ll] turn it into an area to make it very pleasant for the residents to use . . . just to encourage them and give them a nice outdoor area.”

The support received so far means the group is almost ready to start work.

“We’re only $2000 short now of our target of what we need, so we’re almost ready to go. It’s very exciting.”

Jenny is one of four members on the Friends of the Teviot Valley Rest Home committee and welcomes more to join.

The Otago Community Trust’s latest funding injection has benefited about 30 groups throughout the wider district to the tune of $756,276.

It has been allocated to a diverse range of organisations and initiatives, which will empower local communities, bolster social services, promote arts and culture, and enhance educational opportunities.

Among other groups within Central to benefit from the latest round of funding from OCT is the Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade, which received $20,000 to purchase a 4WD light support vehicle.

Read more: Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade to get new 4WD