Media release from American Express Queenstown Winter Festival
13 March, 2012

Winter Festival to support fundraising efforts of three Queenstown charities

There are three official charities of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival this year following an application process that closed date on March 2.

The Remarkables Parent Association, St Joseph PTA and Coastguard Queenstown have each been assigned fundraising opportunities over the 10 day festival which has a strong emphasis on local community wellbeing.

Remarkables Parent Association chairperson Tracey Pedersen said the committee was delighted to have the opportunity.

“We are a new school, we’ve got lots to fundraise for and we also just want to turn up and help – for the school and for the community.”
St Joseph PTA is also committed to the festival with spokesperson Rachel Vermeir grateful for the opportunity to fundraise outside the school community.

“We are a very small school community with only 100 families so we’re always looking for opportunities to fundraise through the wider community. We’ll be serving up bacon butties from our stall with support from Meadowfresh. We’re expecting it to be really social and really fun as well as a fundraising opportunity.”

Festival Director Simon Green said the school fundraising associations would be welcome to fundraise during the public street parties on opening and closing night through selling items and general collection and also through events such as the Teddy Bear’s picnic.

“We do encourage local and visiting people to support our community through supporting the fundraising efforts of our local community groups. You’ll see the school stalls and collectors at the American Express Opening Party & Fireworks on Friday 22 June and again at the Mardi Gras on Sunday 1 July.”

Coastguard Queenstown will benefit from Thriller in the Chiller, a popular and prestigious boxing event held on Saturday June 30, through the organisation of a fundraising auction and raffle.

Local Coastguard Queenstown President, Carl Portegys is thrilled with the opportunity to fundraise at the auction and says all proceeds will go towards the Coastguard’s new building which will enable the marine emergency response unit to operate more efficiently 24/7.

“We have terrific support from the local community and businesses for this building including pro bono services from local lawyer, Graeme Todd and also from local architects Warren & Mahoney who have developed exciting concept plans. Coastguard receives limited government funding for the work it does, the majority of its funding for operational costs come from our principal sponsor, Queenstown Airport Corporation and from donations, other sponsorships and community support. To be given such a golden opportunity at this stage is awesome and very much appreciated.”

The beneficiary charities were decided by the Winter Festival subcommittee of Destination Queenstown.

Mr Green said four groups submitted compelling proposals to the committee and that the festival organisers were very pleased to support the fundraising efforts.

“It’s very important that community groups get to use these opportunities to raise funds for their organizations. Festival relies on the community to help deliver an amazing event and it needs to also provide benefit back the other way.”

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