1 March 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

SBS Bank Southland on Show to Support Earthquake Appeal

While action and family entertainment is a key priority for this weekend’s SBS Southland on Show, the devastation of the latest Christchurch Earthquake will not be forgotten as the show gears up to do its bit to support the Canterbury Earthquake Fund.

SBS Bank Southland on Show co-ordinator Juanita Thornton said this weekend’s events had turned into an ideal opportunity to fundraise for those affected by last week’s major earthquake.

“The Southland A & P Association team will be collecting donations during the day with people out in the field with donation buckets and another one located at the office. We will also be auctioning off the dishes that our celebrity guest Astar will be rustling up during her two cooking demonstrations at the SBS Bank marquee on the day.

“One of our stallholders will also be donating $1 to the fund from every sale at the show and the team from Ascot Timber Sports have really stepped up to the plate for the cause and have organised a 24-hour chop-a-thon, which will run in conjunction with their regular show programme.”

Ascot Timbersports Arena president Andy Scobie said he came up with the concept for a chop-a-thon after seeing so much tragedy on the television and thought it was a way his team could do their bit for the people of Canterbury.

Starting at the Goldpine Ascot Timbersports Arena at the Ascot Park Raceway at 6pm on Friday, the team of about 15 will chop throughout the night, finishing at 6pm on Saturday and they will be raffling off trailer loads of all the firewood they chop.

“It’s never been done here before so it will be something pretty special and it will be impressive – we’ll just have to see how we go on the day.

“We’ll be aiming to chop one block an hour but the boys are pretty primed up so we’ll have them overlapping and we could be doing up to three blocks an hour. All we’ll really need to get us through the challenge will be as much support as people can offer us – although food, coffee and offers of massages could come in handy to help get us through!”

Mr Scobie said they would welcome any other groups to join them during the chop-a-thon who wanted to raise funds for the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal because every bit helped.

Mrs Thornton said it was fantastic to see the commitment to help grief-stricken Cantabrians from those involved with SBS Bank Southland on Show. It was also great to have another couple of events added to the entertainment with the Southland Kennel Club holding a Ribbon Parade, in the Birdcage at 1pm. The dog show competition would involve around 20 entrants. The Southland branch of the New Zealand Vintage Car Club would also be hosting a Veterans Car Parade on the trotting track at 3.30pm, following the Grand Parade. The parade would top off the club’s car rally to Riverton and back on the same day.

The People’s Day on Saturday 5 March will open at 8.30am and run until about 4pm, allowing the public to have one full day to see all the sheep, beef, dairy and equestrian classes, along with specialty classes, trade exhibitors and family entertainment. Entry will be $10 for adults and children under 15 get in for free.

Due to the size of the equestrian programme, they will continue to run a two-day format through until Sunday, kicking off again at 8.30am. Any public wanting to return to take in the equestrian-only action on day two will gain free entry.

ENDS

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