Kiwi volunteers help lift farmers overseas
Four Fonterra farmers will travel to Sri Lanka this year as part of a new farmer volunteer scheme to work with their Sri Lankan counterparts.
To keep the trust going; a minimum of seven people are required to form a new committee.
The Great New Zealand Trail Ride is one of the most iconic New Zealand charities. The MS Great New Zealand Horse Trek (as it was known) began in 1996. The main focus was to raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). With around 450 riders and over 100 volunteers it was a huge undertaking to organise and run the ride.
In 2005, the first trek under the name of the Great New Zealand Trail Ride was held at Rotorua. The format has remained the same – except limiting rider numbers to ensure a safe trek for all participants.
Every year the trail ride is held in a different part of the North Island. The routine for the ride is generally the same every year. Participants meet up at the end of February/early March on a Saturday for a week of trekking, entertainment and raising funds for charity.
Volunteers set up camp and during the week are responsible for shifting the entire camp to the next site, once riders have departed. Riders pay a set fee which covers items such as food, equipment hire, horse feed and entertainment. Almost every day riders trek a different designated route, while volunteers pack up camp and drive to the next site. Due to the remoteness many items are needed such as portaloos, portable showers and catering trucks.
During the week-long trail, horse riders get to trek over some of the most amazing farmland in the North Island. Volunteers get to see many places rarely accessed by the public. It is also an amazing experience for rural communities when the trek is held in a rural area.
The auction is held on the rest day where participants donate goods. All money raised from the charity auction goes directly to nominated charities in the ride area. An awesome range of entertainment is organised in the evenings.
Friday is the last day of full trekking with the evening's entertainment winding up an awesome week of thrills, fun and laughter. Saturday is spent cleaning up.
With up to 180 horses and up to 250 people involved, organising such an event requires dedicated volunteers and committee members. A number of long time volunteers are still involved to assist new volunteers to learn the ropes.
You do not have to be a horsey person to be involved, just an interest in charity and being involved with a great bunch of people. A total of at least seven people are required to form a full committee (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, plus at least three others).
If you are interested in being involved ph/txt: 0204 008 7276 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before 31 July. Enquiries welcome and further information can be found on the trust website: www.gnztr.org.nz
