Lake Ōhau giving to Hawke's Bay recovery
Just as people supported Lake Ōhau's recovery from disaster, we want to support Hawke's Bay people and communities in their recovery.
Puketapu, Hawke's Bay
Our beautiful Lake Ōhau community was decimated by a wildfire on the Saturday night of October 4 2020, with 48 houses and other structures lost - thankfully no lives.
When the images of Cyclone Gabrielle came to us, the terror and devastation of people fleeing their homes in the dark, the sickening unknowingness of what you were going to face in the light of day, and now the utter helplessness of people who have lost everything…..it truly has had a heartfelt resonance with our community.
Through collecting donations for two organisations assisting the people of Hawke's Bay, we are offering our empathy and support for the recipients…basically a big hug from our community to theirs.
Tony Ryan and Michelle Paterson from the Lake Ōhau community have set up this opportunity for residents, property owners and their family & friends, and others to collectively donate to Hawke's Bay people and communities.
Half the funds raised will go to the Puketapu Community Cyclone Relief Fund where the focus is on getting the money straight back out directly to the families that have been affected - many have lost not only their homes and all their possessions but also their livelihoods.
The other half will go to Mandy Bell (via Deer NZ) at Criffel Station in Wānaka who is coordinating fencers from farms in Otago and Canterbury to work on Hawke's Bay farm infrastructure repairs, mostly fences and water supplies.
Tony Ryan and Michelle Paterson's involvement (page creator)
While we have no relationships to the beneficiaries of our fundraising, we acknowledge and empathise with what the recipients have been through.
Use of funds
The funds raised will go to the Puketapu community, and to help with airfares, wages and food for the fencers who travel to Hawke's Bay and materials for the repairs.
The funds will be split evenly between Puketapu School Parent League & Deer NZ - Deer NZ will pass on the funds to Mandy Bell at Criffel Station in Wānaka.
Latest update
Thank you for the donations totalling $7004.00 9 May 2023
Having sympathised with so many Hawkes Bay people as a result of our own fire experiences, we decided to offer a bit of material support and raise some money. In fact, in 6 weeks, thanks to your generosity, we raised over $7000.00 – 40% beyond our target which is mind blowing! So well done the people of the Lake Ōhau Community and our supporters.
We helped two groups – the small Hawkes Bay community of Puketapu and a group of Otago farmers helping to rebuild destroyed farm fences and water supply.
When we informed each of these groups that they would receive $3500.00 each, they both responded with huge gratitude.
From the Puketapu Community: “Thank you so much for your email, that is just so incredible ! The support is greatly appreciated and from one small community to another we thank you so much. We are working so hard to try and fundraise and every little bit helps so much."
From the Otago Fencers: “What an amazing community! Thank you on behalf of the farmers for organising this with your team and to all the donors. The money raised not only offers practical help but is a reminder that those in the South are thinking of those impacted and this goes a long way. With heartfelt thanks."
So on behalf of Tony Ryan, Michelle Paterson and Viv Smith-Campbell, thank you so much everybody. This has been a great exercise and we are thrilled with the outcome.
Just as it was after the fire, knowing there are people outside your community who genuinely care is massive for mental resilience and spirit.
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