Mr Whippy franchise owners Linda and Steve Mitchell, of
Cromwell, have helped community groups and schools raise
thousands of dollars in the past 12 months and are looking
forward to a busy summer. Photo by Tracey Roxburgh.
Just over a year after buying the Mr Whippy franchise
from a Wanaka man and reintroducing the popular ice-cream van
to the Wakatipu after a 12-year absence, Cromwell couple Steve
and Linda Mitchell are "loving it".
Previously, the Mitchells were known to many as the
district's Provender team but, having sold that business,
they are now on the road full time, with two Mr Whippy vans
on the go - and a summer full of bookings.
The couple have a van each.
While one focuses on events, the other does the street runs.
Each area is covered once a fortnight.
The Mitchells often attend community events and are privately
hired for other occasions - including weddings - and have put
"thousands" of dollars back into community groups and schools
through fundraising, particularly throughout Central Otago.
"We did an event in Ranfurly [recently] and it was a huge
success.
"People loved the fact that Mr Whippy came all the way from
Cromwell to do the school sports.
"We used it as a fundraising exercise for the school."
While Mr Whippy sells ice creams at events, a percentage of
the profits goes back to the school or group to help with
fundraising.
"We did Relay for Life in Cromwell and we gave half of the
money back to the Cancer Society," Mr Mitchell said.
"We're doing one for the CT scanner for Clyde in February.
"It's something that we've instigated throughout the Mr
Whippy group."
Mrs Mitchell said they felt it was important to help people
raise money wherever possible.
"I like to do it because we've had four children and we know
what the costs are to send those children to different
events.
"It's expensive for parents.
"If we can give something back to help other families out,
it's a nice way of being able to help."
While some schools had a "PC" attitude towards ice cream, Mr
Whippy was "right at the top of the scale", Mr Mitchell said.
"It's what you dip it in or roll it in, that's when it tips
the scale."
Summer bookings are filling up, and the couple will spend New
Year's Eve in different places.
"People are getting to know us and people are contacting us
and asking us to come to events," Mr Mitchell said.
"It's just such a fun thing."
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