TAKING ON THE STRAIT
A black tie event organised to support a police officer’s plan to cross the Cook Strait is close to being a sell-out.
In March, New Plymouth Senior Sergeant Karley Hunt intends to tackle the 26 kilometre stretch of sea between the North and South Islands.
Hunt is taking on the physically demanding challenge to raise money for the Central Taranaki Blue Light, a police-driven initiative which delivers youth programmes and activities in the community. The fundraising target is $100,000.
‘‘My aim is to do this for Taranaki youth,’’ she said. The launch of the fundraising drive coincides with the Cook Strait Swim Charity Dinner, which will be held on February 10 at New Plymouth’s Novotel Hotel.
The evening offers a two-course dinner, live and silent auctions along with live entertainment. Hunt will also be the guest speaker at the event.
She said a significant portion of the money raised through the dinner’s ticket sales, which are close to selling out, will go directly towards Central Taranaki Blue Light. Hunt has already received donations from people to the cause and a fundraising page will also be set up.
While the efforts to raise money are just kicking off, Hunt’s training for the aquatic challenge is already well underway, with a six-hour ocean swim session planned shortly.
She said her crossing of the Cook Strait was planned for around March 25, but will be dependent on the tide.
Anyone interested in buying a ticket to the black tie dinner can contact Melissa Devine via email at melissa@devinemanagement.co.nz or call 021 454 338.
For those wanting to track Hunt’s progress as she prepares to cross the Cook Strait, visit the Central Taranaki Blue Light Facebook page.