Star-studded Eden Park event raises $200k for cyclone-damaged sports clubs, projects

Nearly two weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle hit Gisborne in February, silt remained spread across Anzac Park. Waka rescued by Mareikura Waka Ama Club lie safe on a higher level at the park but the club lost craft worth thousands of dollars. The club is one of two beneficiaries named as recipients of funds raised at an event at Eden Park on Monday night. Picture by Ben Cowper

Monday night’s Milford Foundation fundraiser at Eden Park for regional New Zealand sports clubs and projects directly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle has raised $200,000.

The evening, Burgers, Beers and Brilliant Sportspeople, hosted by Jason Gunn was attended by 30 New Zealand sporting legends including the likes of Michaela Blyde, Sir Graham Henry, Sir John Kirwan, Sam Manson, Rob Waddell and Jeff Wilson, who also participated in an animated panel discussion for guests.

Ticket sales, live and silent auctions and generous koha helped to realise the $200,000.

Funding from the night’s event will go directly to the Mareikura Waka Ama Club, rugby clubs at Kaeo, Otamatea, Tomarata, Eastern Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto and Onerahi; Wairoa’s Tapuae Sports Club, Tairawhiti Adventure Trust and Wairoa Netball Club.

The funds will be welcomed by the two Gisborne organisations in particular.

The Mareikura club was about to build a new boat shed when the cyclone hit in February, causing its activities to grind to a halt.

But the proposed location on the riverbank at Anzac Park is now considered a flood risk so they are looking for a new site.

Funds will also help to rebuild the Tairawhiti Adventure Trust’s Tolaga Bay pump track, which was destroyed in the cyclone.

“Sport is an essential part of the community,”  said Milford Foundation chief executive Bryce Marsden on Tuesday.

“It’s belonging, it’s an opportunity to achieve and to transform, to learn and to build essential life skills.  It was for me growing up in Tuakau, and it was for the sports stars who generously gave their time last night. We’re delighted to be able to raise this much-needed funding and put every dollar to the projects we’ve identified.”

Since the foundation’s inception almost two years ago, it has granted or committed to grant more than $6.4 million to its flagship partners and special projects like the cyclone fundraiser.

The fundraiser was supported by sponsors Parrotdog, Foxes Island Wines, and Milford Asset Management. All the sports people and Jason Gunn donated their time.

The Milford Foundation fundraising doesn’t stop with last night’s event, donations are still gratefully received and 20 percent of all Foxes Island Wines Artist wines purchased will also go towards this campaign.

www.foxes-island.co.nz/artist-series/