Tractor trekkers get treads in motion
A convoy of seven tractors, three jeeps, and a fleet of support vehicles is set to begin a 2600km, 26-day voyage from Bluff to Cape Reinga tomorrow.
Organised by retired Auckland farmer Phil Aish, the Tractor Trek team is raising money and awareness for Hospice New Zealand, visiting outlets up and down the country.
The team will travel up the West Coast of the South Island, before crossing the Cook Strait and continuing up the eastern coast of the North Island.
This year marks the second time the cavalcade has made its way north, with the group raising over $100,000 for Hospice in 2016.
Aish said the idea for the fundraiser came after his wife Janice died while in Hospice care in 2014.
‘‘It’s just in sheer appreciation of the care and support Hospice gave to me and my family at that time.
‘‘I said to them I couldn’t thank them enough, whatever amount of money I could give them would almost be an insult, and I’d like to do something significant in return for their kindness.’’
While raising money was important, what mattered more was to bring attention to Hospice and their, Aish said .
‘‘What I admire about Hospice is that they value life to the very end. They value this person until they breath their last.
‘‘The dignity that they surround the person with in their moment of total weakness, as they did for Janice... a man doesn’t forget that in a hurry.’’