Funds are needed to purchase a new van for the Merivale Community Centre, and local rangatahi are stepping up to make it happen.

The van will be a significant boost to the centre's youth development programme, allowing more opportunities to be offered to local youth leaders.

Senior Youth Worker, Alex Fraser is supporting the group of rangatahi to fundraise for the new Community Centre van.

A calendar of fundraising events has been created, including sausage sizzles and car washes to get the community involved in supporting the programme.

"We're really excited to have a new van so we can get around the Bay on our holiday programmes and youth nights, like when we go to Rotorua or the Mount," says youth leader Ripeka Rolleston.

All funds raised will go towards the purchase of a new van for the Community Centre in partnership with other grant providers.

'It will add so much to our programmes and work with young people in Merivale and the wider Tauranga area,” said Alex Fraser.

The first car wash and sausage sizzle will be from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 13 April at the Community Centre – 10 Kesteven Ave by the Merivale shops.