Argus Fires up for Children’s Charity

Argus Fires up for Children’s Charity

Argus Fire Systems Ltd joins Variety Trillian Bash charity rally

Argus fire systems is no stranger to fire equipment, but you won't find a fire engine in its catalogue. There is an Argus fire tender, though it's not stock – and it doesn't fight fires. The 1988 Mitsubishi fire tender was bought for its charity role from the Wellington Fire Service, and it will return home this year after the annual Variety Trillian Bash kicks off from New Plymouth on March 7.

Instead of fighting fires it will help fight for disadvantaged Kiwi kids, touring the north island raising funds to help kids who need a hand-up, be it a seizure mat for an epileptic child or sports equipment for a rural school, books or adapted laptops for autistic kids, bicycles or the keys to a Ford Sunshine Coach.

"The aim is to help kids who need a hand-up, so they can be the best they can be," says Argus Regional Manager Bryce Donaldson. Often hard-workign parents struggle to meet that extra commitment, especially if they have a disabled child in the family, and it may only take a small donation to turn that kid's life around, or to give the kids at a small rural school more of the opportunities their city peers get, opportunities that will help them get on in life."

When they’re not hard at work, installing and servicing commercial fire protection systems, fire alarms and sprinklers, hoses and hydrants, Argus’s 192 staff members raise much of their annual donation to Variety – The Children's Charity themselves, though they also rope in clients like Tasman, FPT and Viking, Ideal Electrical or Pertronic.

The fire tender should impress PM John Key when it visits Parliament in March.

"It's got all the standard stuff, the water pumps and 1800 litres of water, all the stuff you expect, Bryce says. But because one of its roles is to entertain kids, it's also got a hidden sprayer under the front to spray kids with, and to keep us and our fellow Bashers fed and watered, it includes a BBQ on board, a drink dispenser and a coffee machine plus a 230V generator. It's not just used on the Bash but for social events and to lend a hand to other charities - it makes a great billboard for Argus."

To add to the impact when the team visits schools and hospitals, they dress up in orange overalls and red wigs. This will be Argus’ fourth year fundraising for Variety, with all eight seats full of employees from its various branches.

This year the Variety Trillian Bash kicks off in New Plymouth on March 7, then travels to Ohakea and Ohakune, Waiouru and Wellington, Napier and Taupo, Tauranga and Cambridge - and all points between - before ending on March 14 at MOTAT for a celebration of 25 years of Variety Bash road rallies in aid of Kiwi kids.

ENDS

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