Free concert to help dialysis patients

DONATIONS PLEASE: Te Whakapono Trust chairwoman Philippa Wills, front, with Rotorua Hospital Maharo Kidney Dialysis unit clinical nurse manager Karin Norman. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 200214BF5

Those enjoying the festivities at tonight's Lakeside 2014 are being asked to spare a thought - and a coin or two - for those who have to travel to Hamilton to receive dialysis treatment.

They're hopeful the generosity of Rotorua people will mean that's soon a thing of the past, if Te Whakapono Trust can raise enough money to buy a new state-of-the-art dialysis machine for the Maharo Kidney Dialysis Unit at Rotorua Hospital.

Te Whakapono Trust chairwoman Philippa Wills said it would be able to raise enough money at Lakeside to be able to buy the machine, which is worth about $33,000.

The trust was initially set up a decade ago to raise money for a dialysis unit in Rotorua. Ms Wills said the machine it was fundraising for was "particularly high-tech" and was used for more complicated cases such as some elderly patients and those with heart conditions.

Those people have to travel to Hamilton for treatment at the moment.

"Obviously it's even harder on them to travel."

She said the trust was grateful for the support of the Rotary Sunrise Club, which would be helping with the collection.

Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust chairman Ian Edward said fundraising for the new machine was a "very worthwhile" community project to support. He said those working in the health industry could see the huge benefits of the work the trust was doing and applauded its commitment to the project.

"One of the key objectives has always been for us to provide to ordinary families of this community ... first-class entertainment and the fact we have made it [Lakeside] free and accessible leaves some leeway for people to show their appreciation by supporting this worthwhile cause."

Lakeside event director Monty Morrison said preparations were going well for tonight's event.

He said the aim of the night was for people to head along and enjoy the concert - and there would be a high security presence to make sure that was the case.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
* The main concert featuring performers including Sol3 Mio, Lizzie Marvelly, John Rowles, Eddie Low and Frankie Stevens will start at 7.30pm but there will be pre-show entertainment from 5pm.
* Road closures will be in place from 6am tomorrow around the Village Green area including Whakaue St, Memorial Dr, the lake end of Fenton St from Pukaki St, the area outside the Novotel and the lake end of Hinemaru St.
* The Village Green does have a liquor licence and people can bring alcohol to enjoy while watching the concert but are encouraged to bring low-alcohol beverages and drink responsibly. Outside the Village Green, a liquor ban is in place.
* People will be able to access the Village Green through gates on the corner of Whakaue and Fenton Sts, Whakaue and Tutanekai Sts and in front of Pizza Hut.
* The forecast is for showers in the evening. People can take an umbrella.