Total number of participants doubles

Led by Kuia, Lady Morrison (in black jacket,) more than 180 runners and walkers, young and old, resident and visitor, turned out for the Queenstown-organised 2013 Pat Farry Trust Fun Run and Walk in Rotorua on Saturday. Photo by Dee Duncan.

Organisers from the Queenstown-based Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust say they are thrilled their latest fun run and walk doubled its numbers since the inaugural outing last year.

The trust held its event on Saturday in association with the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network's annual conference in Rotorua, an area where the trust's work to support the provision of innovative rural healthcare and education was unknown.

The event raised more than $3000 (and counting) by donation for the trust's work.

The fun run was held just before St Patrick's Day, the day Dr Farry was born and the reason for his Christian name.

Of the 180 entrants, more than half came from Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions while the other entrants had come for the conference from all over New Zealand.

Wakatipu businesses Apt Design, Rural Women Glenorchy, Ultimate Hikes New Zealand and Anderson Lloyd Lawyers, which gave $5000 of legal help, all supported the trust and the event, as well as La Hoods the Chemist, Gore, and Ethical Pharmacy, Dunedin.

Sue Farry, trustee and widow of Dr Farry, said the trust tried to act as a catalyst between health professionals and communities. It was terrific 80 health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, medical students and pharmaceutical industry representatives, joined in with 100 residents.

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters and Kuia, Lady Morrison joined the 2.5km walk and 5km run. Lady Morrison, the widow of New Zealand entertainer Howard Morrison, was a passionate walker and inspired others to ''put your health first''. She had entered the event's largest team.

In welcoming participants, Mr Winters, a dairy farmer before taking public office, remarked on the value of the Rural General Practice Network and other rural healthcare services to their communities.

Mrs Farry thanked both the conference and the community for their support.

''We came to Rotorua as unknowns and you have embraced us,'' she said.

''Your support of this event and the work of the Pat Farry Trust will ultimately contribute to the quality of rural health services in all regions of New Zealand.''

The trust alternates the annual fun run venues between in the North and South Islands.