Greenlea Premier Meats helps out with new vehicle

Greenlea livestock manager Bruce Mudgway (right) hands over the new Hyundai Santa Fe to Waikato Rural Support Trust chairman Neil Bateup.

Greenlea Premier Meats is providing a new Hyundai Santa Fe to the Waikato Rural Support Trust (WRST) to help connect trust co-ordinators with rural communities.

Speaking at the hand-over of the new vehicle, WRST chairman Neil Bateup said Greenlea plays an essential role in making sure their co-ordinators can cover the vast area of rural communities they support.

"It is humbling that Greenlea is aware of what we do and puts value in the WRST, so much so that they want to help us and put their name to our brand," said Neil.

"Greenlea's donation of the Santa Fe is incredibly generous and we are very grateful."

Greenlea livestock manager Bruce Mudgway handed over the keys and said the relationship first began in June 2017 at Fieldays, with a casual discussion about rural support vehicles.

Greenlea, already a principal sponsor of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, quickly grew the concept, knowing of the work WRST does and how much a rural support vehicle would help.

"Rural Support Trust is a great cause," said Bruce.

"You never quite know when or where their services will be required and at Greenlea we are just happy to give a little back to those who are supporting farmers."

He said the Hyundai Santa Fe was a great fit.

"We have five of the Hyundai models in our fleet, with the busiest having travelled 270,000kms with no issues," said Bruce.

"Ingham Hyundai gave us a sharp deal, Admark made it look sharp with graphics and Aon provided the insurance."

The new Santa Fe will help promote the trust and ensure co-ordinators are in a vehicle with up-to-date safety features.

Although the Santa Fe will not be used to visit farmers calling on WRST's services, as this is a confidential service, it will be used for community events and to support rural communities during adverse events.

WRST is an independent not-for-profit organisation offering free and confidential support to rural people and communities.

The services are available to rural men, women, families and communities when things become overwhelming.

The WRST team all have rural backgrounds, skills and experience to understand the pressures that face those in rural/farming communities.

¦Information about community events can be found via the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust Facebook page.

Other information on the Waikato Rural Support Trust can be found is at www.rural-support.org.nz