Shane Dorney bought the land about 18 months ago to raise money for the JFD Foundation and its project the Delacombe Community House, before discussions began with builder Des Rix late last year.

Mr Rix wanted to help Mr Dorney’s cause and built all three units free of charge. 

“Whatever is made from the sales, I just hope it will be of great benefit to the community,” Mr Rix said. 

Mr Dorney’s son Brayden, part of the JFD Foundation, presented Mr Rix with a framed certificate of thanks yesterday. 

The JFD Foundation is named after Shane Dorney’s father, John Francis Dorney, who was also a community worker, running a retirement village. 

Brayden said it was the biggest project the JFD Foundation had taken on and a considerable amount of money was expected to be raised. 

An estimated 100 people were involved in building the units, which are expected to make about $250,000 for the foundation once expenses are taken into account. 

Proceeds from the unit sales will be used to pay off the Delacombe Community House and to set up a trust to continue the operations of the house.

Money will also go towards the JFD Foundation, a large supporter of the 3BA Christmas Appeal. 

Mr Rix said he had been in the building industry all his life, but had never seen this amount of generosity. 

He said in the past week, an enormous amount of work had been done at the units, including landscaping, finishing off the painting and plumbing, the electrical work and cleaning. 

Shane Dorney was in hospital when The Courier visited the units yesterday, and he is yet to see them finished and cleaned. 

Mr Rix said the units could suit anyone, as all have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 

“It could be people scaling down and wanting a smaller size, first-home buyers, investors or people wanting something new,” he said. 

The units, at 68 Grant Street, Sebastopol, will be open Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 2pm. The front and back units are on the market for $265,000 and the middle unit for $255,000.

nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au