Milestone for ‘Get Behind the Fence’ campaign

Stoats, rats and possums beware, the campaign to fence Nelson's Brook Waimarama Sanctuary has reached a milestone, with 400 fence posts sponsored since the launch in May.

This exceeds the target for June-July and means the Get Behind the Fence Campaign has already raised $130,000 from supportive individuals, families, businesses, and clubs.

The 400th post was sponsored by Dr Ann Pearson of Cambridge, who also requested campaign brochures for friends and contacts in the Waikato.

Sanctuary General Manager Hudson Dodd said the Nelson community, along with people further afield, had responded enthusiastically to the opportunity to sponsor the posts that will go into the 14km pest-proof fence.

“The Trust is very grateful to everyone who has already sponsored a post,” he said. “There’s still plenty of scope for people to join in the growing buzz about the benefits the Sanctuary will bring to the Nelson region, and get behind the fence!”

The fence post campaign is the public fundraising part of the overall campaign, which has now raised $3.2m through grants and major donations towards the $4.75m needed to build the 14km fence.

“We’re at the two thirds point, which is pretty exciting,” Hudson said. “And the fact that people are stepping up to sponsor fence posts from all around the country shows what a nationally significant project the Brook Sanctuary really is.”

While most fence posts to date are sponsored by families and individuals, the Trust also encourages schools, streets and community groups to band together and sponsor a fencepost.

Mr Dodd reported that the corporate side of the fundraising is also going well, with two major sponsorship partners about to be signed up.

Fence post sponsorship pricing ranges from $100 to $5000 - more information at www.brooksanctuary.org

ends

© Scoop Media