Charity benefits from adrenaline rush

Rotorua's Mike Howell, with eight-year-old Mitchell, makes the most of the Agroventures locals' weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker

Hundreds of Rotorua residents have had a thrill this weekend - and they've helped out others in the community most in need at the same time.

Agroventures has just held its locals' weekend, with people taking on somewhere between 1200 and 1400 rides for discounted prices as part of the event.

As well as locals getting to bungy, swoop, schweeb, freefall and ride on the agrojet for a significantly discounted price, they were also able to donate to and find out more about The Koha Shed, which helps Rotorua families in need.

Agroventures sales and marketing manager Mary Tolley said she had heard great feedback about The Koha Shed, which was why it was selected to be the charity of choice.

Miss Tolley said it was about fundraising for the organisation, as well as giving them the opportunity to get their name out there and raise awareness around the work they do in the community.

"It's just been a fantastic weekend."

Miss Tolley said some of the locals didn't know what was on offer at Agroventures and were using the discounted weekend as an opportunity to try out all the rides on offer.

"It's been a really good tool to get them to reconnect."

Normally held in May, Miss Tolley said moving the weekend forward had paid off with brilliant weather and somewhere between 1200 and 1400 rides over the weekend.

"The general feedback has been people saying they wanted it every weekend and that they didn't know what was out here."