Star-studded fundraiser: big names turning out for cyclone relief event

Big names turning out for cyclone relief event at Eden Park

Sporting greats Sir Michael Jones, Rob Waddell and Jeff Wilson are among the names getting behind a major fundraising event which will benefit two Gisborne sporting communities.

Gisborne waka ama club Mareikura and Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust will be two of the beneficiaries of the star-studded cyclone fundraiser Burgers, Beers and Brilliant Sportpeople at Eden Park on Monday, May 8.

Tickets are on sale for the Milford Foundation fundraising evening to support regional New Zealand sports clubs and projects directly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Milford Foundation has committed to replace Mareikura waka damaged in the cyclone.

“All of our W1 and W2 waka were wrecked during Cyclone Gabrielle. We’re feeling lucky this fundraiser is going to pay to replace them,” Mareikura funding officer Joelene Takai says.

“We can’t take our big waka into the river unless it’s high tide and the silt has meant the river is more shallow.

“It’s a huge challenge entering the river and Gisborne District Council don’t want us in there because of the contamination.

“They are concerned about health and safety and require us to wear face masks and shoes in certain conditions,” Ms Takai said.

The Mareikura club was about to build a new boat shed when the cyclone hit in February, causing its activities to grind to a halt.

But the proposed location on the riverbank at Anzac Park is now considered a flood risk so they are looking for a new site.

One solution is to collaborate with the Anzac Park-based Sea Scouts, Gisborne Rowing Club and Poverty Bay Kayak Club and build one large water hub facility higher up on the football field.

“Replacing the waka is a tangible fix and it’s great but our priority is the wellbeing of the river and our river is not healthy.

“We use it and we see it. That’s what we need to address but it will take time to restore it to health.”

Milford Foundation will also support the rebuild of the Tolaga Bay pump track destroyed in the cyclone.

“As a volunteer community organisation, we are over the moon to receive support from the Milford Foundation Cyclone Relief Fundraiser Event,” Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust chair Haimona Ngata says.

“Our kaupapa is about making active recreation sports accessible for all here in Te Tairāwhiti, including our rural communities up and down the East Coast.

“With the recent weather events showing that these communities can be cut off from the rest of Aotearoa for weeks or months, it’s imperative that our tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau have active recreation assets like a pump track to ensure they are getting outside and active — not only for their physical health but mental health as well.”

The Milford Foundation’s Burgers, Beers and Brilliant Sportspeople event aims to raise $300,000 with every dollar spent on tickets and auction items going towards the goal.

The foundation has also committed to partnering with each project to “see it through to the end” and will continue to fundraise beyond the event.

Guests will have a chance to rub shoulders with more than 25 prominent names in sports, take part in a live auction fundraiser and enjoy an interactive panel hosted by double All Black Jeff Wilson.

The damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle caused significant disruption to regional

sport in Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Northland.

Many sports grounds, facilities, and equipment were damaged or destroyed, with some organisations struggling to fund the resources necessary for games to go ahead or communities to continue to gather for special events.

“Sports help to build a sense of community, belonging and opportunity for rangatahi and tamariki throughout New Zealand,” Milford Foundation chief executive Bryce Marsden says.

“All the sportspeople backing our event  have seen and benefited from that first-hand, and our hope is to provide hundreds of thousands in essential funding to the hardest-hit areas.

“We’ve mustered some of New Zealand’s greatest sporting legends for an evening that will be sure to provide yarns you’ll dine out on for years to come.

“More importantly, though, we’re supporting an incredibly worthwhile cause — getting our young people back to the sports they love and creating space for these hard-hit communities to regather in a positive way.”