Farmers flock to 'rapid relief' event

Farmers turned out in big numbers yesterday with their utes and trailers and small trucks for the Rapid Relief Team Community Connect Day in Dunstan Road. From left are Matawhero farmer Wally Cameron, RRT director Danny Blampied, Clarke Judd (Team Leader RRT) and farmers Dr Spock Priestly. Wok Allan of Ormond and John Ferkins of Patutahi. Picture by Liam Clayton

More than 300 farmers from throughout the region flocked to the Rapid Relief Team Community Connect Day yesterday in Dunstan Road and took home with them around $450,000 worth of fencing materials.

The RRT organisation, run by the Brethren Church, previously staged such a day in Hawke’s Bay and plans two other days like it in Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay in early October.

Gisborne RRT leader Clarke Judd said yesterday’s event here was “awesome”.

“It went very, very well and everyone who attended was extremely thankful for the support.”

RRT decided to stage the giveaway event after the catastrophe of Cyclone Gabrielle and the rippling effect that weather event has caused across the farming community.

“We gave away 300 sets of fencing gear, which includes, posts, battens and wire, each valued at $1500,” Mr Judd said.

“After they’d loaded up their gear the farmers stopped for a bite to eat and something to drink, and talked to the farm service providers we had lined up for them.

“We had a lot of comment around the difference the day had made in their lives, which was great.”

Volunteers served up 750 meals and 700 coffees.

Mr Judd said they were looking forward now to the RRT events planned for next month in Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay.

The Rapid Relief Team is operated globally by the Brethren Church, with volunteers lending a helping hand to people in need in 14 countries,  including Australia, UK, North and South America, the Caribbean, Canada, New Zealand and throughout Europe including Poland and Ukraine.

The concept was established in 2013 by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church in the UK , with 14,000 RRT volunteers now across the world.