24hrs BikeAThon for Tonga Flood Relief

Seminarians at Holy Cross Seminary would like to raise money for Tonga Flood Relief.

On the 12 February 2018, Cyclone Gita caused substantial damage to homes, livelihoods, places of refuge, and places of prayer in Tonga. Gita was a category 4 tropical storm. Winds raged between 110 and 275 kmph causing waves over 11 metres tall.

We want to raise funds for Caritas NZ who have a long standing relationship with Caritas Tonga who were able to distribute pre-positioned emergency supplies within 24hrs of Cyclone Gita's destruction. Such supplies include tarpaulins for shelter, hygiene kits, first aid kits, and even kitchen sets. Part of our efforts have been connecting with teams on the ground to gather information on the needs of communities.

More help is needed so we are doing a BikeAThon and 24 hour prayer event to raise money for them.

ABOUT HOLY CROSS SEMINARY:

Holy Cross Seminary (HCS) is the national seminary for the education and formation of diocesan priests for the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Established in 1900 by Bishop Verdon of the diocese of Dunedin, it was sited at Mosgiel (just outside Dunedin) for nearly 100 years. At the end of 1997 the seminary moved to Auckland and a year later was established on the present site of 44 Vermont St, Ponsonby. It is located in close proximity to the Ponsonby Parish church, the St Columba Conference Centre, and St John Vianney rest home for retired priests. Nowadays the student body reflects the increasing diversity of peoples for whom New Zealand is home and is comprised of men from a wide range of countries and cultures, age and life experience.