Waiheke day out for underprivileged kids

Waiheke day out for underprivileged kids

Variety Mini Bash working bees, hospital visits and island fun

Sixty underpriviliged kids from Pakuranga STAND Health Camp and organisations in Waitakere and Onehunga will step aboard a SeaLink ferry on October 17, heading for a fun-filled day on Waiheke – and a free ride on the island’s Ecozip, hosted by the Variety Mini Bash.

Stand Children’s Services regional manager Pene Frost says the day gives the kids a chance to try activities they’d never usually have a chance to access. “These activities challenge our children to walk outside their personal comfort zone, which grows their confidence and self worth, contributing to a sense of acheivement.”

The Mini Bash – named after old-style ‘bush-bashing’ – is a classic car rally with a difference. Teams in fancy dress and themed or classic cars pay a generous fee to Variety – The Children’s charity to take part, and this year participants will come from as far afield as Christchurch and Timaru.

As well as raising funds for Kiwi kids in need of a hand-up, the teams this year will donate several hours of back-breaking work at Whenuapai School alongside staff from Ford NZ head office, and will visit sick children at Middlemore’s Kidz First.

After distributing gifts there, it’ll be an early night for the 18 teams and 70 participants ready for their early-morning ferries, where they'll meet the kids they will host for the day.

SeaLink has come to the party to help get the Mini Bash to Waiheke ready to greet the arriving kids. Marketing manager Kirsten Harris says the company is committed to helping the community whenever it can – both through its work with Jassy Dean Trust working with local families in times of crisis, and with events like this one.

Once on the Island, the kids will head to EcoZip for an exciting high-speed aerial view of the island.

EcoZip Adventures managing director Gavin Oliver says the day is a great opportunity to give back to the community, “and give a great group of young people an chance they might not otherwise have to get out and experience a spectacular piece of NZ native forest.”

Variety Bash regular, BestStart team captain Morris Danks, is driving his bright-turqoise fire engine over from Tauranga for the event.

“There’s nothing like meeting the kids we’re raising funds to help,” he says. “We love the Bash’s fun flavour, but it’s even better when we can get hands on. Helping those Pakuranga kids have a day they’ll never forget will be a great way to recover from the previous day’s spadework!”

Hayden Jones, who will drive the Ray White Land Rover up from Christchurch, agreed. "I wouldn't miss this," he said. "Being a dad myself I can appreciate what a difference a little extra can make when you're struggling, and I'm looking forward to helping make a difference to a few kids come October".

ENDS

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