Hospice rocks to tune of $75,000
The second Caroline Bay Rock and Hop has raised just over $75,000 for Hospice South Canterbury - almost double that of last year’s event.
The fundraiser, held in March, saw 932 vehicle registrations and thousands of people descend on Caroline Bay for three days of vehicles, rock and roll, fashion competitions and street cruises. The inaugural event in 2017 raised $40,000.
The amount raised was announced by Hospice South Canterbury yesterday.
This year the community was encouraged to get behind the event and make it their own.
The success of the event is being attributed to that support, Hospice South Canterbury general manager Peter O’Neill said.
‘‘This is a whole community project and something that the whole area can be proud of.’’.
‘‘Most of the people partaking in the event were from outside of our district and South Canterbury came through and provided a great local experience for these people.’’
Hospice South Canterbury fundraiser Jeanna Munro said the amount raised made all of the ‘‘hours and hours’’ of work put in throughout the past year worthwhile.
‘‘Along with the huge number of volunteers used and the massive amount of time and energy put into the event by the three hardworking committees involved.’’
The money raised is 10 per cent of what Hospice South Canterbury needs to raise each year above the district health board funding it receives.
She said fundraisers such as the Rock and Hop are an essential part of raising the $750,000 shortfall each year.
‘‘The bonus of this particular fundraiser is that a lot of these funds are raised while bringing others to our district, meaning other people benefit as well.
She was proud of the way the community had embraced the fundraiser.
Hospice South Canterbury is grateful to the event’s sponsors and the volunteer committee.
Planning for next year’s Rock and Hop event, on March 15, 16 and 17, is already under way, Munro said.