May 30 2011
OVER 800 OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND LOCALS HELP REAL JOURNEYS RAISE $46,172.55 FOR CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

As a gesture of support for Christchurch, the Crusaders flag was meant to fly in Dusky Sound yesterday, on the last of Real Journeys special fund raising excursions. But wind conditions and a sea swell of up to 5 metres kept the vessel in Doubtful Sound. On board were 90 passengers, the last of more than 800 Otago and Southland locals who have helped Real Journeys raise over 46 thousand dollars for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

“Everyone was great about it; they always knew the Dusky Sound excursion was weather dependant. We delayed it by a day hoping things would improve but it wasn’t to be. Still, this was all about raising money for Canterbury, and all the passengers were pleased to be making a significant contribution to Christchurch,” said Real Journeys CEO Dave Hawkey.

Mr Hawkey said it was fantastic that the support came from locals from the Southland and Otago regions and that there was a good-natured reaction to the Crusaders flag as it kept popping up in the most unexpected places.

Real Journeys staff devised the idea to use the flag as a mascot, taking it to each of the locations where fundraising excursions took place; Milford Track, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, the Stewart Island lodge and on the TSS Earnslaw.

Mr Hawkey will write out a cheque for $46,172.55 to the NZ Red Cross. All the money paid by locals has gone towards that total amount.

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