With Echuca Printers running a social media-led auction for a limited edition golden Johnno’s Run hoodie, Ms Coulston made sure to play her cards just right to ultimately secure the goods for $240.
“I wanted to make a donation and do something good, and I wanted the jumper, so I thought I'd keep bidding until I got it,” Ms Coulston said.
“I put in an initial bid and someone outbid me, then it happened again, so I thought I'd wait until the last minute and put the last bid in, and I got it.”
Nick and Chris Lee of Echuca Printers, who presented Ms Coulston with the prized hoodie on Monday morning, said they were pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction towards the auction.
“We've been involved for four years, with the jumpers, and this year it was yellow and blue,” Ms Lee said.
“We decided to go with the blue jumpers, but then thought about having the Golden Hoodie as a point of difference.
“It was suggested to us to have an auction, so we put it out there. It fetched so much more money then we ever expected.”
With 100 per cent of the winning bid going towards the Opening Doors Project, Ms Lee said the initiative was well worth it.
“We're very humbled by the support we got from the auction of the hoodie,” she said.
“The money all goes to Community Living and Respite Services, and we're just the vehicle.
“It's all these people who bid on it that really are the heroes of the fundraiser.”
Working as a volunteer for CLRS at its Murray River Tea Rooms and Op Shop for the past five years, Ms Coulston said she was more than happy to put her money towards the fundraiser.
“I've seen the clients, and worked with them,” she said. "These houses are fantastic for individual living. It just gives the residents so much independence.”
The Lees also see the impact that Johnno's Run and the Opening Doors Project are having on their community.
“When they opened the Eyre St house around the corner, we went around and had a look; it was really impressive how it enables people to live independently,” Mr Lee said.
“Things we take for granted.”
Ms Lee added: "And the absolute delight of the residents moving into them; we were a bit oblivious to the impact it had on these individuals in our community.
“They were so proud and excited to move into their home and it made you want to get involved.
“It will be great to see everyone out there this weekend for Johnno's Run.”
Register to run, walk or wheel the virtual event at https://clrs.org.au/johnnosrun/
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