Fencing and a feed for cyclone-hit CHB farmers
Charity event helps build connections, provides relief
Farmers turned out by the dozen to pick up fencing supplies, share a burger, a coffee and a catch-up at a rapid relief team farmers Community Connect event at waipukurau racecourse last week.
the scene at the racecourse ran like a well-oiled machine: farmers rolled up in their 4wDs towing a trailer, pulled up at a loading station where trailers were loaded with a bundle of fence posts, before moving on to be loaded with 100 battens, then next came two rolls of wire, 25 permanent strainers, 5kg of staples and a jar of wire crimps.
next stop was the load check, then the drivers were waved to a parking spot near a marquee filled with tables, chairs, food, information stands and fellow farmers.
the resemblance to a well-oiled machine was due in no small part to this being the fourth such event in hawke’s Bay — in hastings, wairoa, gisborne and now ChB — to help the farming community in their recovery after Cyclone gabrielle.
“By the time we have finished the ChB event we will have handed out about 72,000 posts,” said rrt general manager paul simmons.
“that’s enough to do 280km of fencing. the distance from waipukurau to wellington Airport is 260km.”
the fencing supplies are bought through donors to the rrt, which is a charitable trust. rrt was established by the plymouth Brethren Christian Church in 2014. the rrt is staffed by church volunteers who provide catering services at charitable events and emergencies, nationwide.
the hawke’s Bay response — which began in the days following Cyclone gabrielle with BBq trailers