Gay Ski Week QT organisers Sally, left, and Mandy
Whitewoods who will give 6% of the accommodation revenue
from bookings at Novotel Queenstown during this year's
event to the New Zealand Aids Foundation. Photo by Tracey
Roxburgh.
For the first time, Queenstown's annual gay and lesbian
ski week will raise funds for charity, with 6% of accommodation
revenue from bookings at Novotel Queenstown to go to the New
Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF).
The 2013 Gay Ski Week QT, to be held from August 31 to
September 8, attracts crowds from across New Zealand,
Australia and further afield.
Tickets for the week are now on sale.
Organisers Sally and Mandy Whitewoods said they wanted to
''give back'' to the gay and lesbian community and support
the national charity which works to eradicate HIV and Aids,
as well as providing assistance to people living with HIV and
their families.
''We're highly appreciative of the continuous support we get
from people who attend the event, our sponsors and Queenstown
business partners,'' Sally Whitewoods said.
''We thoroughly enjoy organising the event and bringing the
gay and lesbian community together for a week of skiing and
fun.
''This year we wanted to help the NZAF promote their cause
and encourage anyone attending this year's event to book
their accommodation at the Novotel to support this amazing
charity.''
NZAF executive director Shaun Robinson said the organisation
was extremely thankful to the couple for recognising and
supporting the foundation ''It's such a wonderfully generous
thing for them to do.
''Gay and bi guys are overwhelmingly affected by HIV in New
Zealand and much of the NZAF's work focuses on HIV prevention
and support for this group.
''To be recognised in this way by such a key rainbow event as
Gay Ski Week is a real testament to the spirit of the rainbow
community in this country and the collective determination to
see an end to our HIV epidemic,'' Mr Robinson said.
This year's event would begin with an opening party on August
31. Other highlights will include ''bingay'' - a take on the
traditional game of bingo - as well as the Casino Royale
night at Skyline Gondola.
Sally Whitewoods said they had taken on board feedback from
last year and produced an event list which incorporated
''some exceptional new nights'' as well as ''old
favourites''.
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