Holiday parks raise over $100,000 for breast cancer research

14 July 2011

A fund-raising challenge to New Zealand holiday parks has resulted in more than $100,000 being raised for breast cancer research.

A total of 54 holiday parks from around the country took part in The Holiday Parks Challenge, launched a year ago by the Holiday Accommodation Parks Association (HAPNZ) in support of the Breast Cancer Research Trust. Each park was challenged to raise at least $1000 for the charity.

Parks used a wide variety of energetic and innovative ways to raise the funds, from fun runs and Tupperware parties, to quickfire raffles for visitors and competitions. One park invited guests to fill the cups of a bra with donations.

The result? An impressive total of more than $80,000 was raised.

A feature of the challenge was the use of a vintage caravan that was refurbished by Trelise Cooper. After being used to promote the Holiday Parks Challenge around the country, it was sold, adding an additional $16,000 to the fundraising effort.

A fund-raising auction and dinner at the annual Holiday Parks Conference in Wellington last week raised a further $26,600 for breast cancer research.

“We are delighted with the holiday parks’ response to the challenge,” HAPNZ Chief Executive Fergus Brown says. “This is a fantastic result, especially given the challenging trading conditions many of our operators have faced in the past year.

“We are delighted to be able to support this worthy charity. Families are important to the holiday park sector and breast cancer can affect our wives, mothers, sisters and daughters. We’ll do anything we can to help in the search for a cure.”

Special mention was made of the Christchurch TOP 10 Holiday Park, which raised $2110 in spite of dealing with the effects of the city’s earthquakes.

Speaking at the 2011 Holiday Parks Conference in Wellington yesterday, Breast Cancer Research Trust Chief Executive Tony Moffatt said the Holiday Parks Challenge was a huge boost to the search for a cure for breast cancer.

“Working with the holiday park sector over the past year has really raised our profile and we look forward to continuing our association with them. They are making a difference.”

ENDS

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