Rotary cocktail party raises $50,000 for youth health and wellbeing programmes
The Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust has received a $50,000.00 windfall thanks to the Hastings Karamu Rotary Club cocktail party, which was held in July.
Hastings Karamu Rotary Club President Paul Michaelsen was thrilled to hand over the funds to Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust chairman Sir Graeme Avery, as they both
counted their lucky stars that the event went ahead without any COVID19 setbacks.
“We didn’t host the event last year, but luck was on our side this year, as over 350 people enjoyed socialising together. We have now been back in lockdown, so we can certainly count our lucky stars.
Sir Graeme said he was thrilled and extremely grateful for all the hard work by the Rotary Club and those that ‘dug deep into their wallets’ to generate much-needed funds for the delivery of important sport performance and health programmes.
“We missed out on a significant amount last year with the event being hit by COVID19, so to successfully have the event this year and raise money, is something to celebrate in these very strange times. If the event was a couple of weeks later, it wouldn’t have happened for a second consecutive year.
“We rely on the generous support of the community to assist in the continuation of a range of programmes that we deliver such as athlete development and programmes that focus on
at-risk youth and creating positive career pathways,” Sir Graeme said.
Mr Michaelsen said that the money raised is important but just as significant is the ability to profile the community fitness trust and the positive outcomes it creates.
Proceeds will help fund several Trust programmes including Education Outside the Classroom – a physical literacy and healthy lifestyle programmes for primary schools; an Obesity Reduction Research Study; a Youth Potential Academy for at-risk youth as well as contributing 50 per cent of fees for individual athletes in the Trust’s Athlete Development Programme, with whanau struggling financially.
“The cocktail party provides a fantastic opportunity for the Trust to tell the story of the positive impact it has on our community. Many of the programmes focus on lower decile schools and at risk youth, and the team at the Trust do an amazing job in creating positive pathways for our region’s youth.
He added that HBCFCT’s facilities at the Mitre 10 Regional Sport Park are world-class and are reducing the strain on the region’s health system.
“You only have to visit the facility and see the wide range of active people enjoying the facilities such as the fitness centre and indoor court space.
Mr Michaelsen said planning is already underway for next year’s event, which promises to be an exceptional night building on the success of this year’s event.
It is hoped that it will be held at the home of HBCFCT, which will showcase a new 50-metre aquatic complex, a 60-bed hostel and an extension to the indoor sport centre.
The Cocktail Party has raised over $2 million from sponsors, donors, supporters and attendees for over 28 years.
