Team Plunket raises $15,000 for new centre

Team Plunket raised just over $15,000 towards the monies needed for Plunket’s new $1.3 million dollar family centre in Onekawa, in a month-long business house fundraising challenge held in June.

Bank of New Zealand, Napier branch took out the challenge, holding a soup kitchen, a ladies’ afternoon tea, and a quiz night to raise funds, and won a Kiwi Adventure Trust corporate Amazing Race prize for their efforts.

ENZAFoods and City Fitness were also awarded prizes at the end of season function held last week. Captains, Richard Kepka from Kepka Builders, and Tony McEwan from Speight’s Ale House, were presented with commemorative team jerseys.

Alison Prins, Plunket’s centre project leader, thanked the players and supporters including volunteer Plunket mothers, all for their efforts and commitment, noting that the centre would be the first of its kind in New Zealand. “It’s going to be an amazing resource and help make a better future for our children.” It is expected that building of the 25-room centre will commence in September.

The business challenge funds, plus a number of donations of time or materials towards the build, bring the total raised to $70,975. Plunket needs a further $204,000 to be raised by the Hawke’s Bay community and plans are in place for other fundraising initiatives. One of these is a Breakfast with John Key on 1 September 2011. Tickets are available through local National MP offices.

Businesses involved in Team Plunket as players or prizegivers were: Speight’s Ale House, Kepka Builders, BNZ Napier, ENZAFoods, Unison, City Fitness, HB Today, VJ Distributors, KFT Limited, Mitre 10 Mega, Paslode Nails, EOS Design, Altherm Aluminium, Mantell – Harding, Mark Tremain, Red Steel, Winstone Wallboards, Certified Builders, Kiwi Adventure Trust, Colonial Motor Lodge, Hell’s Pizza, Hastings, Sharpies Golf Driving Range, Bay City Fitness, Campbell’s Bakery and Coffee House, Elephant Hill Winery.