St John in the Southland/Queenstown Lakes region is more than $35,000 better off – thanks to the generosity of Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) members attending its annual conference held in Queenstown this month.
RCNZ president Steve Levet says as part of the organisation’s annual conference a charity auction is held each year with the proceeds going to St John in the local area.
Mr Levet says sponsors provide gifts for the auction and RCNZ members then bid for these with all the money raised donated to St John in the region where the conference is held.
With the annual conference being held in Queenstown this year, that means all the funds raised from RCNZ’s charity auction is going to St John in the Southland/Queenstown Lakes region.
“We had a wonderful haul of products put up by sponsors including: spray, bale wrap, fuel, clothing as well as numerous model tractors and machinery with our members digging really deep to benefit St John.”
Mr Levet says in total a record $35,000 was raised in the auction – topping the previous best of $28,000 raised at New Plymouth in 2014.
“This sum will be now donated to St John in the Southland/Queenstown Lakes region and the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust to help them continue on with all the fantastic work they do for the local community.”
Over the past five years, Rural Contractors NZ has raised nearly $130,000 – which has all been donated to St John in various parts of New Zealand.
Steve Levet says rural contractors have a great affinity for the work of St John around the country and RCNZ is proud to help support such a worthy and valuable charity that plays a vital role in rural New Zealand.