RRT Pitches in for ‘Fun Day Out’ for Flaxmere Community
The recent ‘Fun Day Out’ at Flaxmere Park, Hastings, in late April was a memorable day for many reasons; friends and whanau were able to freely mingle and get together without masks, or self-distancing restrictions, the day had a wonderful feel-good and celebratory vibe with live music and entertainment from some talented artists and a lot of aroha (love) towards each and every one. It was the first big outdoor event Rapid Relief Team had supported under the new New Zealand government traffic light regulations with all limits removed on crowd gathering sizes.
Rapid Relief Team attended with the food trailer along with other organisations, food and entertainment providers, to provide a barbeque stall, with all RRT’s proceeds being donated to the worthy cause, The Acorn Project Hawkes Bay Trust.
A charitable trust in Hastings, Hawkes Bay, The Acorn Project’s mission is to offer wrap-around support to young people living with cancer in Hawkes’s Bay as well as supporting their families.
Their services provide individualized support, starting with the time of diagnosis, and continuing through the treatment phase to then help celebrate a return to health, or if it is so, be there during palliative care and provide grief support at the passing of a family member. Like RRT, this charity is focused on care and compassion and supports communities in times of need.
The menu was – a hearty beef burger with fresh salad and the family favorite, a sausage sizzle, bottled water, along with free kindling, which proved a real hit and had many lining up!
RRT team organiser, Steve Cornes commented, “The day was much enjoyed by the volunteers and RRT appreciated the opportunity to serve at the event. It was a great day at the park with 250 burgers and 400 sausages sold. Over $1000 was donated to The Acorn Project.”
The Honorable Henare O’Keefe, Hastings District Councillor, Flaxmere identity, and foster father of many, had to say; “Good man, please note the gratitude expressed due to your generosity. May God bless and stay well! And, let’s do it again sometime!”
