Rural spending generates more than $150,000 ‘cash for communities’

The 2012 PGG Wrightson / Ballance Agri-Nutrients’ Cash for Communities initiative has raised $152,000 for rural community funding across New Zealand, achieving nearly double the $80,000 generated in 2011.

The four month programme - which closed end May – saw PGG Wrightson and participating suppliers commit $2 per tonne of Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser purchased and $2 per $500 spent on selected agri-chemical or seed products to schools and charities selected by farmer customers.

More than 3,000 farmers registered for the scheme earmarking funding for 320 rural community organisations. Half the funding, about $80,000, would go to rural community schools while rescue helicopters would receive $35,000 and St John would be allocated more than $31,000, a significant increase on the $14,000 St John received last year. Donations would also go to a number of IHC areas.

Stephen Guerin, PGG Wrightson General Manager, Rural Supplies said the success of the programme reflected a genuine commitment by both farmers and suppliers to support those organisations that needed assistance to survive in rural communities. “Last year we also contributed to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, so that allocation has now gone back to local support organisations and schools.”

Top school recipients include Waikaia, Whakamaru and Tatuanui schools which would each receive a cheque for more than $3,000 in the coming weeks while Pyes Pa Road School again attracted a good contribution, with a $2,600 windfall.

The top three recipients were the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance ($10,400), Westpac Rescue Helicopter Christchurch ($5,500) and Lakes District Rescue Helicopter ($4,400).

- Ends –

Contributions for 2012:

Sum of Total Donation School/Charity Recipient
10476 Rescue Helicopter Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance
5518 Rescue Helicopter Westpac Rescue Helicopter Christchurch
4414 Rescue Helicopter Lakes District Rescue Helicopter
3834 School Waikaia School
3536 School Whakamaru School
3434 Rescue Helicopter Otago Rescue Helicopter
3040 School Tatuanui School
2934 St John St John Hokonui
2670 School Pyes Pa Road School
2472 Rescue Helicopter Northland Rescue Helicopter
2130 Rescue Helicopter Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter
2128 School Millers Flat School
2008 St John St John Morrinsville
1920 School Taneatua School
1920 School West Eyreton School
1890 Rescue Helicopter Westpac Rescue Helicopter Wellington
1820 School Norsewood and Districts School
1764 School Lumsden School
1538 School Arohena School
1498 St John St John Tuatapere
1462 St John St John Northern Southland
1460 Rescue Helicopter Youthtown Rescue Helicopter
1430 Rescue Helicopter Westpac Rescue Helicopter
1388 St John St John Methven
1298 St John St John Winton
1276 St John St John Te Kauwhata
1210 IHC IHC Gore
1186 St John St John Cheviot
1178 St John St John Wellsford
1138 St John St John Putaruru
1132 School Awahono School - Grey Valley
1120 School Sherwood School
1120 School Kuranui Primary School
1114 School Tokanui School
1078 School Waikaka School
1050 School Waioneke School

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