Hastings newsagent and grocer Staffan Andler has been recognised in parliament and awarded a community honourary membership for his charitable deeds.
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The Kew Corner Store owner invited members of the public to guess the weight of a giant pumpkin outside the store earlier this year. Raising $820 via gold coin donations towards the Camden Haven Community@3 homeless support charity.
The sizable produce was originally grown in Herons Creek by plumber Jason McCarron and weighed 244kgs when picked.
Mr Andler and Mr McCarron were both mentioned on the floor of parliament by Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams in late February.
The pair were congratulated on their unique and inventive efforts to raise funds for charity and highlighting the rich agricultural heritage of the Camden Haven region.
The house recognised Kew Corner Store and Mr McCarron for partnering to raise funds for Community@3, while Mr Andler was applauded for supporting the event and generously donating prizes for the winning guess.
"It's a amazing really that for us it generated so much interest and raised money for the local community," Mr Andler said.
"I've met Leslie Williams a few times as well. She's a very generous lady who wants to be involved with the community."
Mr Andler also received an honorary membership certificate on December 9 from Community@3 in recognition of his outstanding caring support of the organisation and its cause.
"That's part of our engagement here as a team at the Kew Corner Store. It's not my own honour, but we are just lucky to be in a position where we can be the middle man," he said.
"I don't need much motivation to lend a hand because I grew up on a farm back in Sweden. We had food on the table and a roof over our head, so there was a lot of time to help people and people helped us.
"I'm happy to do whatever I can do. Physically I can't really donate any time to do volunteering but I can get engaged when there is a need or opportunity to raise money."
Mr Andler said he would now bag and resell the seeds of the pumpkin to local growers, with proceeds going back to Community@3.
"We harvested the seeds and we are hoping to inspire people for next year's growing competition. That will also lead to a new guessing competition," he said.
"Growing a big fruit like that requires extra care, but it might be a good thing for kids to do.
"I still have to put the word out but I think it will be held next year at the same time."
The Camden Haven Community@3 helps people who are homeless, lonely or in financial difficulty. The group provides free barbecue events and support.
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