Bayleys steps up for Big Splash
There’s nothing like a bit of community spirit to warm up winter, which participants in this month’s Bayleys Big Splash event will be hoping for in spades if it is to take the edge off their icy plunge.
The annual fundraiser for the Rangiora Stroke Club brings together a wide assortment of community figures who for a good cause hurl themselves into a tub of eye-poppingly cold water.
Sponsoring jumpers provides vital funding for locals who have suffered a stroke. For businesses and others who care, the event is a chance to put their money where their mouth is, or – in what is everyone’s preference – put forward a jumper of their own.
Headline sponsor Bayleys is this year doing both: stumping up the cash to make the whole thing possible and also steering two willing agents towards the cold, cold blue.
The event takes place on Saturday June 23 on the front lawn of the Waimakariri District Council offices in Rangiora.
Event manager Belinda Topp, of Rangiora Promotions, says all funds raised will be passed on to the stroke club thanks to organisational costs having been met by Bayleys.
‘‘It wouldn’t be possible without them,’’ she says. ‘‘It’s a fundraiser but it still costs a lot to produce so without Bayleys’ support we wouldn’t be able to do it.
‘‘Last year, $6000 was raised and that enabled the stroke club to add a whole other physiotherapy session for their members once a month. We hope we can do that and more this time.’’
Bayleys North Canterbury manager Ross Ditmer says the real estate company was inspired to get involved by its long and close relationship with the community.
‘‘Bayleys has really high values and the stroke club is such a good cause that it just felt right,’’ he says.
‘‘Everything we do comes down to trust – we’re all connected to the community in one way or another.’’
Ross has spent almost his whole life in North Canterbury and has been with Bayleys for the past five years. He was a volunteer firefighter in the region for 25 years.
Other Bayleys agents are similarly connected to their communities, and all work together to ensure clients are matched with the specialist suited to their property type, Ross says.
Residential, lifestyle, rural, commercial and industrial properties are handled by the company, which also has a property management team.
Adding to the Big Splash event is a drop-in morning tea Bayleys is hosting at their Rangiora office on Wednesday June 20. It’s a chance for people to say hi and for a gold coin donation have a coffee and bite to eat. All proceeds will go to the stroke club.
At the Big Splash that Saturday, Bayleys is also organising a colouring competition for children and giving adults a chance to win a hamper, with people able to pick a key from a bundle for a gold coin donation and see if it opens a locked door. Proceeds here will also go to the stroke club.