Specialised machine ready to give personalities a charitable dunking
Several South Canterbury personalities are set to be flushed by a new dunking machine to help raise funds for a Timaru school tomorrow.
Sacred Heart Primary School principal David Armstrong expects people to queue for a chance to soak well known figures such as new Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen and Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon as the newly manufactured device is debuted.
‘‘The dunking machine is actually a new one this year, put together by Breen Plumbing who have made us a fairly impressive looking dunking machine,’’ said Armstrong who is also among the personalities listed to be dunked.
‘‘We have a few people lined up to be dunked, which will be fun.’’
Falloon said he was looking forward to
‘‘I’ve done it a few times before, it’s all good fun and raises money for a great cause. I’m sure there’ll be a few people lining up to take shots at me and mayor Nigel Bowen, but I reckon the principal Armstrong will be the favourite.’’
Armstrong said Breen Plumbing had been a good supporter of the school over the years and had donated the machine free of charge.
‘‘They have a good connection with the school. Some of them have had kids in our school and have been on our board of trustees.’’
Owner-operator Shaun Breen said it was ‘‘great stuff’’ to be involved with the local schools and the local community.
‘‘The school sent us a plan of what they wanted and we went to some local businesses for supplies. One of my employees, Craig Esler, built it in his own time.
‘‘My kids used to go there and so did Craig’s.’’
The structure, which cost about $500 to build is made from 100 millimetre PVC pipes, Breen said.
Armstrong said numerous other special items and activities would be on offer at the fair with a new scooter being given away as the school looks to raise funds for playground upgrades.
‘‘We’re just going to give it away to a person attending on the day. All they have to do is come along to the fair, put their name in the barrel and we’ll draw a winner out on the day.’’
An international food court will be another new introduction this year.
Armstrong said they were not putting a number on how much they wanted to raise as they wanted people to come along and have a good day at the fair.
He said they were keen to support other schools should they require the new dunking machine for their fundraisers.