We are beyond grateful to the RRT for their generosity of spirit and big hearts.

Our team of 16 volunteers from RRT Timaru were pleased to be part of the Caroline Bay Rock and Hop event, raising funds for the local South Canterbury Hospice.

Thousands cruised into Timaru on the weekend of 18th March 2023, for the Caroline Bay Rock and Hop, leaving organisers confident the amount raised from the event will be better than the last time it was held two years ago.

Hospice South Canterbury provides specialised palliative care to palliative patients within South Canterbury. Hospice is available to all patients in a palliative or terminal phase of their illness. This includes patients with cancer, cardiac, renal, respiratory and other end stage diseases. The aim of Hospice palliative care is to maximise the quality of a person’s life.

Although Hospice is government funded in New Zealand, the organisation does also require community support to fundraise the gap between funding and the cost of care. This event is the biggest fundraiser of the year and contributes to a large portion of their needs.

Many friends and family of the Rapid Relief team volunteers have been recipients of the tremendous level of care this organisation provides. Ben Boakes, RRT team leader in Timaru said, “Rock and Hop is a great event, as it helps to fund our ever-needed hospice. This organisation supports elderly people and others suffering from terminal sickness. They also extend their services to close families of patients in hospice care, helping them to endure tough times, and also supporting families after loved ones have gone.”

Rock and Hop is a four-day event, with a ‘50s,’60s theme, featuring 1000 cars, caravans and motorbikes from all eras. During the weekend, funds are raised several ways including vehicle entry to all cruises and competitions, donations from public entry and sale or donation of food and beverages such as RRTs food and coffee stall.

On the RRT menu this year was the gourmet BBQ burgers, loaded with fresh seasonal salad and finished with a sauce of choice. And for those requiring a caffeine boost, our baristas were on site with a hot brewed coffee. The RRT waters bottles were also a hit on the day, our volunteers handed out over 300 bottles.

People que for their hot-off-the-press BBQ burger at the RRT tent

RRT collected donations from attendees who stopped by the stall for lunch. An outstanding $2,714.10 was collected which will be handed over to the Hospice Group.

Our volunteers were absolutely delighted to be involved in the day and giving up their time to such a worthy cause. We look forward to helping again next year.

 

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