Great Tractor Trek Pamphlet 2016

THE GREAT NEW ZEALAND FUNDRAISING TRACTOR TREK

FUNDRAISING FOR HOSPICE 2016

The Great New Zealand
TRACTOR TREK

Bluff, 22 February to Cape Reinga 17 March 2016

When Janice Aish had to go into Hospice care in her last days, husband Phil and his family were impressed with the wonderful care provided. All Janice’s needs were met by the staff and the family were able to just ‘be there’ to support Janice. Phil appreciated how much the staff supported the family as well. Knowing that Hospice is only partially funded by the Health Department, Phil and Janice set about finding some way to reply the kindness shown to them. So the idea of a Tractor Trek from Bluff to Cape Reinga was born!

There was a lot of planning and preparation over the next 18 months. Geoff Harper became available to assist, and took over a lot of the administrative and planning details. Those involved in the trek were urged to raise as much sponsorship as they could before the Trek started, and money would also be raised on the way. All money donated would go to Hospice in the region where it was raised. Nine tractors were registered to start the Trek at Bluff. Four were brought south by truck, four bought locally, and one Invercargill tractor was to be delivered to New Plymouth. Some of the local tractors needed work done on them before they were fit for the trip. A lot of this preparation was done on the farm of Stu and Eli Erskine, just out of Invercargill. Several support vehicles accompanied the tractors. Later, at Nelson, two of the tractors had to leave the convoy, but another two had joined by the time they left Wellington. Several tractors joined the cavalcade for a while between Wanganui and New Plymouth.

Hospice people at many centers along the way greeted the travelers and provided a meal, or cup of tea. Some set up fund-raising for the occasion. The majority of the travelers were farmers. Several stops at farms were arranged where the farmer spoke of the history, and the current farming situation of the area. Also children at several schools along the way were delighted to hear Phil Aish tell about the work of Hospice and the principle of giving.

At the end of the Trek the tractors were driven or shipped home, or sold in the north. To date the Trek has raised over $100,000 for Hospice. Following are some pictures giving an idea of when and where some things happened on the Tractor Trek.

THE GREAT NEW ZEALAND FUNDRAISING TRACTOR TREK

Left to Right: Joanne Watt. Phil Aish. Gary Spence. Murray Bryant. ffary Power. Andrew Power. John Aish. Myrlene Aish. Mayor Tim Shadbolt. Murray Marshal. Stu Erskine. Mike Erskine. Mark and Lamyia Kayes. Phil Boyd. Geoff Harper. Jim Simons. Doug Whitfield. Ian McIntyre. Chaplin Richard Aitken. Raewyn Wiebe.

Left to Right: Katherine Levine. Doug Whitfield. Rod North. Phil Aish. Glennis North. Mark Kayes. Gary Spence. Myrlene Aish. Steve Levine. Lamyai Kayes. Geoff Harper. Ian McIntyre. Phil Boyd. John and Ruth Jackson. ffary and Patricia Powers.

THE GREAT NEW ZEALAND FUNDRAISING TRACTOR TREK

MAKE A DONATION TO HOSPICE

givealittle.co.nz/org/tractortrek
or ANZ Te Ora Hou Trust No1 Tractor A/C: 06 0493 0378676 01
If you require a receipt, email: [email protected]
Thankyou for your support.