More than $7k given to those doing ‘amazing things’
Those doing ‘‘amazing things’’ for mental health in South Canterbury were the recipients of the $7600 raised during Timaru’s Soap Box Derby, with more money still to be given out.
An estimated 1000 people lined George St on October 30, to watch as push-kart racers flew over jumps, crashed into haybales and then dragged the homemade creations back up the hill to do it all over again, while raising money.
Event organiser Richard Brown said when the event was relaunched in 2017, the ethos was all money raised would be ‘‘donated locally, to help local people’’.
‘‘The idea of raising awareness for mental health is still the same, but this is the first year we have donated the funds to people doing amazing things for mental health in the community,’’ he said.
Those recipients are AMPSS (Addiction Mental Health Peer Support Services) 101 and the Timaru Hope Walk but organisers did not want to say how much each had received.
Brown also acknowledged the support of Alpine Energy which was name sponsor for the event.
Derby administrator Helen Beveridge said mental unwellness and/or addiction and has qualified staff and peer support workers to assist and advocate for those who are seeking change, McNoe said.
The Soap Box Derby committee also chose to donate funds to Michelle Cogger for the annual Timaru Hope Walk she organises.
‘‘She does it all on her own and we wanted to help.
‘‘What Michelle and AMPSS 101 do for the community is amazing, and we are really excited we can help,’’ Brown said.
To go back to the group’s core message of getting out in the shed and building a kart, the committee also decided to work with the Timaru Bike Polo group to install a bike repair stand at the Caroline Bay Lions bike park.
Brown said the committee would start planning the next event about six months out but said people should start building their karts now.
‘‘We have not set a date yet but people need to start now,’’ he said.