Wheels at Wanaka doubles charity donations

The Wheels at Wanaka Charitable Trust has announced $53,140 in donations following a successful event that saw 25,000 visitors attend the 2021 show over Easter Weekend.

The amount raised was more than double that of the inaugural 2019 event. Numbers through the gate were also double the 12,000 that came through in 2019.

Of the donations this year, $20,000 will go to the Heartland Tractor Trek. The trek, led by Pace Engineering chief executive Steve Day, a group of nine Chamberlain tractors trekked from Taranaki via Christchurch to Wanaka and back. The group has now raised more than $115,000 for Heart Kids NZ.

The trust has also donated a total of $12,640 to Warbirds Over Wanaka Flying Scholarships, Aspiring Gymsports, Wanaka Swim Club, Wanaka Yacht Club, and Rotary Wanaka.

The Wheels at Wanaka event also provided free market space to Upper Clutha Plunket, Wanaka Lions and Wanaka Rowing Club. The Wanaka Lions had the busiest weekend in many years at the event, donating $2000 directly to Heart Kids.

The trust was to donate $5000 to West Otago Vintage Club and $1500 each to the Southland Steam and Traction Engine Club, South Canterbury Traction Engine and Transport Museum, Binders Down

Under, NZ Vintage Machinery

Club, and Central Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand.

Other organisations that raised funds via Wheels at Wanaka included the Oxford Land Rover Owners National Rally, who donated $4500 to LANDSAR Wanaka, and Wanaka Powersports who donated $1500 to Rural Support Otago through

Greg Murphy’s Polaris RZR demonstrations.