Wharekaka Rest Home to Benefit from Fundraising Bike Ride

The Martinborough Skyline Challenge mountain bike ride, set down for ANZAC weekend Saturday 26 April 2014 will be raising funds for Martinborough’s Wharekaka rest home.
 
“We feel it is important that any fund raising we do is for the direct benefit of local people and the local community,” says Lions President Graeme Thomson. “Lions have contributed in the past to Wharekaka Rest Home Transport Fund and we are keen to help them meet ongoing needs.”  The Transport Fund was used to purchase a van for residents.
 
“We are grateful to the community for their support,” says Wharekaka Trust Board Chairman, Peter Croft.  The money raised for the Transport Fund will be used to “pay for the ongoing operating costs such as housing the vehicle, insurance, maintenance and fueling”, adds Peter.  “Depending on how long this one lasts we are also looking at replacements as well, sometime in the future.”

Previous donations from the Lions (and other community groups) have gone towards the purchase of the van used by the? residents for a range of regular outings and for transporting people to various events, activities or meetings.  “It could be for games or competition at another rest home, or fish and chips for lunch at Lake Ferry,” says Peter.  The Nissan Serena seats up to 8 of the residents and has so far met the needs of the rest home very well.  “It suits us fine,” Peter adds.

Martinborough Lions have been working on a voluntary basis for over 40 years at a huge range of fundraising activities for the benefit of the local community groups and individuals.  Events and activities have included (and some still do include) providing assistance at the Fairs each year, Toast, firewood for the elderly, firewood sales, working bees at local parks and places, conservation activities on the South coast, the mountain bike ride and one of the Ngawi annual fishing contests. And heaps more.