YOUR INDUSTRY
The Kiwifruit Industry Invitational Team and Parliamentary Rugby Team face each other before the start of their charity match at Whakatāne
Photo by Jamie Troughton, Dscribe Media Services
Charity match raises $50,000 for community A community day and challenge rugby match organised by the kiwifruit industry at Whakatāne in March raised $50,000 for the Eastern Bay Community Foundation’s Whakaari Fund. By Elaine Fisher “We were really proud to make a significant contribution to those affected by the Whakaari/White Island tragedy. We wanted to offer our support to those affected as well as the wider Eastern Bay community,” says Zespri director of external relations, Michael Fox. To raise funds for the victims, their families and the first responders affected by the 2019 Whakaari/White Island tragedy, a Kiwifruit Industry Invitational Team took on the Parliamentary Rugby Team in a charity rugby match on Saturday 27 March. The score was 39–17 to the Parliamentary Rugby Team. “Alongside generous individuals, businesses and Whakatāne locals, our charity rugby match and auction raised over $50,000. “We’re a proud member of the wider Bay community and the fundraiser was a great opportunity to honour those 28
The ORCHARDIST : MAY 2021
no longer with us, their families and the first responders,” Michael says. The event at Whakatāne’s rugby Park included activities for children and the community, and a curtain-raiser rugby match between Whakatāne Marist and Ōpōtiki.
…a great opportunity to honour those no longer with us, their families and the first responders The focus for the day was to bring the Eastern Bay community together and honour those affected by the Whakaari/White Island tragedy, and it involved a strong turnout from the kiwifruit industry and wider community.
