Challenge to fundraise for vital resource

The Tora Challenge, on May 1, will be raising money for the Life Flight Trust. PHOTO/FILE

With the Tora Challenge taking place along South Wairarapa's remote and dramatic coastline, the Life Flight Trust was the obvious charity to fundraise for says organiser Jenny Bargh.

The Tora Challenge, on May 1, includes a 6km walk/run, 18km walk/run and 32km run, over hill country and coastal farms, river valleys, native bush and along the Tora coastline.

Participants will be covering a route used by people doing the Tora Coastal Walk, New Zealand's longest running private multi-day walk, which is part-owned by Mrs Bargh.

She said Life Flight had been the chosen fundraising focus for the event because it was a vitally important service to the community.

"The rescue helicopter is a great comfort for people living in remote areas. It's a relief to know that there's such a wonderful service that you can call on if things go wrong."

Mrs Bargh said her family had been very grateful to have the service of the Westpac Life Flight helicopter on two occasions over the years.

"We are more than happy to be raising funds for them," she said.

"We think it's a very worthwhile organisation to fundraise for -- it is for everyone in a similar remote community."

Mrs Bargh said the event was nearly at full capacity.

Many people from the community had volunteered to help with the running of the event and Tuturumuri School would be supplying food on the day for the participants.

Tora Challenge made its debut in 2014, when it raised $15,000 for the Waihinga Centre in Martinborough.

Visit www.toracoastalwalk.co.nz to register for the challenge.