Fundraising success

Southern winter crop competitions raising more than $100,000 each for their respective communities is impressive, event organisers say.

The Maniototo Lions Winter Crop Competition raised more than $105,000 in Ranfurly on May 29. Lions spokesperson John Mulholland said it was a fantastic result. "It has blown us away."

Club members gave $50,000 to Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust earlier this month. Other recipients include Otago Community Hospice, local community and health projects and scholarships for local students to attend either Lincoln, Massey or Telford.

Taieri Winter Crop Competition and Charity Auction co-ordinator Drew Carruthers said the event raised $100,500 in Mosgiel on May 15.

"To get over that 100K was phenomenal." The generosity of sponsors was a key factor to the success, he said. A benefit other than fundraising was getting farmers across different sectors to a social event. The recipients were Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Otago Community Hospice, three rural study scholarships, Otago Rural Support Trust, Outram Loop Walk and Bike Track, Taieri Historical Park and Taieri Rotary and Lions clubs.