Motorbike club shows community spirit
A disbanded motorcycle club has donated $2000 to two Nelson organisations in need of community support.
The Patriots Nelson Marlborough West Coast Motorcycle Club may have changed its name and its base, but the gift of giving is still at the heart of the club, donating $1000 to the Brightwater Rural Fire Brigade and $1000 to the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter.
Starting afresh as Band of Brothers Nelson Motorcycle Club last Christmas, they wanted to give the money they had raised as the Patriots to organisations ‘‘not funded enough’’.
Band of Brothers motorcycle club president, Robert Crimp rode up to the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter base on his motorbike, followed by several of its eight other club members dressed in their leathers and patches, to present the emergency services with a cheque on Saturday.
Crimp said the money was raised during the disbanded club’s last poker run, one of the many ways which the club fundraises for local groups.
As a club, Band of Brothers share a determination to support the community by hitting the road on their motorbikes and organising fundraising events.
Brightwater Rural Fire Brigade chief fire officer Jonti Makan was ‘‘thrilled’’ to get the donation.
‘‘Usually we have to do quite a bit of fundraising to get that sort of money so ... it’s a bit of bonus to be able to get that sort of money without putting in a lot of extra time to raise it.’’
He said it was a ‘‘timely donation’’ as a pump on one of the trucks had damage which needed to be fixed.
They were also looking at getting extra headsets and radios. ‘‘They’re not cheap items so that’ll be on the list as well.’’
Funded by the Tasman District Council and the Royal Fire Network, the brigade also rely on fundraising.
The Nelson Marlborough Res- cue Helicopter has 40 per cent of its costs met by ACC, Police SAR and the district health board with the remaining 60 per cent raised by the public and sponsors.
Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter crewman, Paul ‘Ernie’ Bryant was ‘‘very appreciative’’ of the donation.
‘‘It’s always good to get support from the community.
‘‘I don’t always look at the actual dollar value of what they’re giving, it’s more the fact that they’re prepared to back an organisation within their community that they feel they should support, for whatever reason. Whether it’s $1 or $10,000, is kinda irrelevant, it’s the fact that they’re supporting us, and that’s what’s really nice.’’