More than $33,000 was raised by New Zealand’s agricultural contractors during their annual conference
Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ)—the industry body representing the contractors providing services to New Zealand’s farmers and horticulturalists—raised more than $33,000 during their annual conference held in Masterton from 26 to 28 June.
A charity auction dinner is always held at the annual conference, held in a different regional centre each year, and this year, $33,345 was raised for Wellington Free Ambulance, which provides emergency care in the Wairarapa.
“We want to thank the RCNZ sponsors, suppliers, and Masterton businesses that provided the items that we auctioned off,” RCNZ chief executive Roger Parton says.
“I never cease to be impressed by their generosity and the generosity of the contractors and others who purchase the products they donate.
“This year, the auction dinner was sponsored by Tulloch Farm Machines, which is based in Masterton. Tullochs not only donated items for the auction but they also collected a number of items from local businesses that helped make the auction a success.”
Talking about the fundraising efforts, Wellington Free Ambulance fundraising advisor Rachel Carr says, “We are the only emergency ambulance service in the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region, and the only emergency ambulance service in New Zealand that is free, thanks to the generous support of our community.
“We rely on donations to keep our service free to patients, so fundraising efforts like this are hugely appreciated.”
Wellington Free Ambulance, which has been covering the Wairarapa, Greater Wellington and the Kapiti Coast regions for 90 years, responded to more than 57,000 incidents last in 2017.
“We receive about 75% of our funding from the government, but still have to raise about $4 million a year to cover costs and keep the service free,” Rachel says.