You can bet the house on it

The New Zealand Racing Board and Ronald McDonald House Charities have partnered up for The Interislander Summer Festival at Tauherenikau. PHOTO/FILE

Racing at Tauherenikau on Saturday will be benefiting more than just picnic-goers and punters, due to a new partnership aimed at bringing joy to families in need.

The New Zealand Racing Board and Ronald McDonald House Charities have partnered up for The Interislander Summer Festival at Tauherenikau as part of a nation-wide fundraising initiative.

Wairarapa Racing Club's January meet is a long-standing tradition and source of entertainment for hundreds of Wairarapa and Wellington families.

This season, the New Zealand Racing Board also plans to bring some joy to families in need. In each of the eight races, a TAB Racing Tipster will select a horse called the "TAB Summer Selection". If the horse wins, the TAB will donate $75 to Ronald McDonald House Charities. If the Summer Selection comes second or third, the donation will be $50.

New Zealand Racing Board CEO John Allen said the board was delighted to have partnered with Ronald McDonald House and expects a significant donation to be made by the end of summer.

"Our expert tipsters will pick a Summer Selection for each race at all 36 Interislander Summer Festival race days across New Zealand this summer.

"That means Ronald McDonald House will have nearly 350 horses running for them this season."

The New Zealand Racing Board exists solely to give back to New Zealand communities, through the three racing codes and national sporting bodies.

The Interislander Summer Festival is family orientated, which is why the board was keen to establish a relationship with such a family-focused charity like Ronald McDonald House, Mr Allen said.

Race-goers can also show their support by asking the TAB Operator for a bet on the Summer Selection each race and make a donation to a team member who will be on course collecting for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

With over 3600 Kiwi families calling a Ronald McDonald House home each year, Ronald McDonald House Charities is New Zealand's leading family charity. It provides free accommodation and wider support programmes. The house aims to strengthen families during children's medical emergencies, alleviating the emotional, practical and financial burdens a family may face, so they are better placed to cope and help their children heal.

Families across Wairarapa have used a Ronald McDonald House at times of illness, including the Bain--Pearce family from Greytown.

When Aleisha Bain and Jake Pearce's daughter, Allie-May, arrived on the scene a little earlier than expected, the young family were still head over heels in love with their bundle of joy.

Allie-May was born at only 24 weeks and spent her first few months in Neonatal Intensive Care, until she was ready for her parents to take her home.

While the family was away from home, Ronald McDonald House looked after them and offered them a home away from home so they could be close to their daughter.

After five months, the family moved back home to Greytown but, just over a year later, the family showed up on the doorstep once again.

The couple's second child; this time a son who they decided to name Blake, was also born prematurely at only 23 weeks.

"I can't thank Ronald McDonald House Wellington enough for that and so many other things," Ms Bain said.

Gates will open at 10am for the Interislander Summer Festival race day on Saturday.