Hot to trot: Racing pigs prove popular
A ‘‘quirky’’ fundraiser by the Makikihi Country Hotel has raised more than $2000 for the Makikihi School and Waimate Food Bank.
Makikihi Country Hotel manager Belinda Coco said Saturday’s fundraiser where six untrained pigs raced each other in six races, dubbed ‘Pigs Day Out’, was a ‘‘great success’’ with around 200 people turning up to support the cause, and more coming and going throughout the day.
Coco said some pigs ‘‘really showed their ability to run’’, but as untrained racers ‘‘needed some encouraging’’, she said.
‘‘We had so many people buying the raffles for the pigs’ races we sold out. All 360 raffles for the races were sold.’’
She said people enjoyed trying to win a race with their raffle tickets.
Coco said $1800 was raised for the Makikihi School, and roughly $700 was raised for the food bank with donations still coming in.
‘‘We will plan something like this again. The fundraiser was something different and quirky which drew people out.’’
She said the food bank was grateful to receive the donation.
‘‘They had a huge week with Toot For Tucker and this helped them out a bit more.
‘‘It was a great day and everyone had a great time.’’
There were 60 prizes donated by businesses from around South Canterbury.
People who won the ‘Monster Raffle’ for the Waimate Food Bank received a night’s accommodation, an
excavation voucher and a New World voucher.
‘‘Everyone was excited to win,’’ Coco said.
School principal Tina Ivamy said the funds raised for the school were a ‘‘big bonus’’ and would be put towards a mobile classroom.
‘‘It will help us with at least a year’s worth of trips,’’ Ivamy said.
‘‘Everyone got behind the whole day. It was great. I haven’t seen it packed for a while.’’
Ivamy said volunteer parents helped set up the event and another group helped sell the raffles throughout the day.
‘‘If it weren’t for the community we would have not been able to sell all the raffles,’’ she said.