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The doors were meant to open at 8am but as the crowd spilled out onto Manukau Rd Franklin Silver Lining Trustees had to open up shop an hour early on Sunday.

The volunteers were greeted by a surging crowd at the trust's Monster Garage Sale by 6.45am, said trust chairwoman Megan Van Lieshout.

"We thought it was getting dangerous because there were people out to the road, so we had to let people in.

"The response was absolutely amazing, all our expectations were completely blown away, " Megan said.

The trust, which was formed in 2008, fundraises to support those facing adversity in the community whether it be through illness, grief, depression or other suffering.

They provide special treats and "time-out" breaks for Franklin families and individuals in need.

From the garage sale, auction and donations made over the weekend the trust managed to raise $13,000, an outcome which hugely exceeded their expectations.

The response was just another example of the Franklin community banding together to support those in need said Megan.

"A real good old fashioned Kiwi spirit was shown."

For Megan, volunteering is something everyone should take part in to make the community a better place and help those who are truly struggling.

"People get so caught up in their own lives but there are people out there who have lost their children. But if we all help each other out we make a true community and without friends and family and a community sticking together, you haven't got anything.

"I think we really saw that community support on Sunday, and we can really be proud that we have a trust like this in our community, " Megan said.

As well as the reward of being able to make others' lives better, volunteering also encourages future generations to do the same, Megan said.

"If we stop caring and doing it, then our children will stop doing it too, " she said.

The trust would like to make special thanks to Jason Woodyard, Jo and Glenys from Gracey's, Edwina Van Lieshout, Angela Deadman from The Pizza Box, Susan Braks, Aimee Marsh, Shaun Bagshaw, Bruce and Lynne Graham, Tony Van Lieshout, Jo Sharpe, Joshua and Harry Plummer, the staff from Unlimited Tiles and Frank Balle for letting them use the shop.

"Without all these people who came to help there is no way we could have done it, " Megan said.

They would also like to thank everybody else who offered their help, the community for all their donations and those who came to support on the day.

From its success the trust will definitely be looking at holding another Monster Garage Sale.