With event day fast approaching, excitement is building for the Frankton McDonald’s Colour Run/Walk, made possible by the generous support of local and national sponsors and partners who have come together to back this community fundraiser. Set to light up Innes Common at Hamilton Lake on Sunday 15 February 2026, the event will run from 10am to 2pm, with gates opening at 9am for early check-in, filling the lakefront with colour, music and connection.

This 4km run and walk is designed for all ages and abilities, bringing families, friends and workplaces together in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Every step taken and every ticket sold helps support families when they need it most. Full event details, tickets and donations are available at www.HamiltonColourRun.co.nz.

The Businesses Making This Event Possible

Community events don’t happen on goodwill alone, and this one is no exception. We’re incredibly grateful to the businesses who have stepped up to support this kaupapa.

At the forefront is Platinum Sponsor McDonald’s Restaurants Limited, whose long-standing commitment to family wellbeing and community connection underpins the heart of this event.

Our Gold level Sponsors – JP & Associates, After, Omega Finance, Aman Bali & Co, The Bottle-O Te Rapa and No.1 Motels – have played a vital role in bringing the Colour Run/Walk to life. We also acknowledge Blackfox Creative for providing creative direction across the event’s marketing and website.

Colour, Energy and Interaction on the Course

Participants can expect plenty of action along the route thanks to our Colour Station Sponsors, who will be out there creating memorable moments:

• Wash Rite, adding both colour and cooling fun with a water-spray truck
• Winger Motors
• Hamilton Eye Clinic
• Laser Eye Centre
• Camarosa
• Virtual Print

We also thank our Silver Sponsors – BNZ, Lorna Jane, Glenview School and Parry Group of Restaurants – for backing this community fundraiser.

Supporting the Event from the Ground Up

A number of partners are working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs safely and smoothly on the day. Our thanks go to:

• JSR Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
• TR Trucks
• Sitech Systems Limited
• Elyte Hydration
• Eagle Security
• The Warehouse
  

We also acknowledge MediaPA for their role in helping share the story of this event across the wider community.

Join Us and Be Part of the Colour

As the countdown continues, now is the time to get involved. Whether you’re running, walking, volunteering or donating, your support makes a real difference for RMHC and the families they care for.

The Frankton McDonald’s Colour Run/Walk is a celebration of what can happen when a community comes together. To every sponsor, partner, supporter and participant, thank you for helping make Hamilton Lake shine.

� Tickets & donations: www.HamiltonColourRun.co.nz

FRANKTON McDONALD’S COLOUR RUN / WALK
� Innes Common, Hamilton Lake
� Sunday 15 February 2026
⏰ 10am–2pm (gates open 9am)

Live music, face painting, photo booth fun, giant bubbles, splashes of colour and water, coffee, food trucks, kids’ activities, and emergency services displays will all be part of the day.

The Rotary Club of Fairfield in Hamilton is to host a Charity ‘Curry Night’ and Auction on Thursday, 21st September 2023 at the Waikato Indian Association Centre, Duke Street, Frankton.

The event aims to raise funds for the building of a Children’s Hospice in Kathmandu, Nepal. The evening starts at 6.00pm – providing an opportunity for guests to mix and mingle and to place a bid for a wide range of Silent Auction items on display.  The Hospice Nepal Project Team are delighted with the number and quality of items on offer for the Auction.

A cash bar will be operating and a Curry Buffet style Dinner provided by members of The Waikato Indian Association in Hamilton is included in your ticket.

We are truly excited to announce that New Zealand Cricketing legend Ross Taylor will be our Guest speaker on stage for a fast-paced twenty-minute Q&A session talking about his cricketing life and career.
The evening will also host a Silent Auction and Raffle and be rounded off with a Live Auction of high quality items with Harcourt’s outstanding auctioneer, Campbell Scott.

Your Ticket of $75:00 includes a Curry Buffet, dessert, entertainment and a generous donation to Project Hospice Nepal.
To Book, contact on-line booking: www.trybooking.co.nz/KIQ

Further information: http://eepurl.com/iwehes

A group of Christchurch women have banded together to help raise funds for the Ukrainian people.

The six driven and passionate women have invited the Ukrainian Honorary Consul, Oleksandr (Alex) Kirichuk, to Christchurch to talk, over three nights, at venues across Christchurch.

Marie McMillan says they knew they had to do something.

“It’s horrendous what is going on. The killing of men, women and children, the destruction of people’s homes and forcing them to live in constant fear,” says Marie.

Entry to the evenings will be by way of donation and raffles will be held with 100% of proceeds raised going directly to the Ukrainian people in Ukraine.

“We are sure many people will be keen to hear from Alex. He is a very experienced speaker and comes from an interesting background. As well as full-time fundraising for the Ukrainian cause, he runs a fully solar-run distillery north of Auckland. Before he came to New Zealand in 2002 with his family, he was a nuclear power plant engineer at places including Chernobyl,” says Marie

Mr Kirichuk will be in Christchurch from Wednesday 18 May through to Friday 20 May.

All inquiries for Marie McMillan on 021486166.

Dates, times and locations

Weds 18thMay Rangiora Baptist Church, 7.30pm

Thurs 19thMay Cashmere Club, 2pm

Thurs 19thMay St Bedes Hall, 7.30pm

Fri 20thMay Kaiapoi Club, 2pm

Fri 20thMay Kaiapoi Club, 7.30pm

Recent story on Oleksandr (Alex) Kirichuk https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/voices/audio/2018835526/in-the-spirit-of-hope

You can find Mr Kirichuk’s informationhere:https://www.facebook.com/Honorary-Consul-of-Ukraine-in-New-Zealand-105859674855034?_rdr

For the first time, people will be able to roll, ride as well as run down the Hamilton Airport runway in an annual Rotary fundraiser.

Set to take off on Sunday,14th March 2021, the Rotary ‘Run the Runway’ event will also include mobility scooters, wheelchairs and strollers.

Beginning at 7.15am, walkers, runners and users of mobility scooters and wheelchairs are all invited to run, ride or walk the length of the 2.2km runway.

A digital clock will be present for the more competitive to record their times.

Limited to 600 people, the event is organised by Fairfield Rotary Club, created to raise money for their local and international charities and projects.

Event co-ordinator Mike Cahill, a past president of Fairfield Rotary Club said he hoped all those in Hamilton would take the opportunity to participate and support this unique event.

"This event is only available in two places in New Zealand and is only offered in four places in the southern hemisphere.

On offer is a free flight over Hamilton, which has been kindly donated by Mark Brown and the Kiwi Balloon Company he said.

You can register and purchase tickets on the website: www.runtherunway.org

STEPtember provided the perfect opportunity for 173 staff members from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology to step out in support of the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand. 

STEPtember is an international fundraising event run for the month of September, encouraging people to up their fitness and challenge themselves to take 10,000 steps per day for 28 days while raising money for people living with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement. 

Toi Ohomai staff across the Bay of Plenty raised over $11,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand with CE Dr Leon Fourie raising almost half that with just over $5,300 through his personal fundraising. His team, The STEPbusters (which included Joanne Massey, Clarke Raymond and Catherine Olds), won most fundraising overall for Toi Ohomai and came second overall in New Zealand (52nd in the world) fundraising $5,604.89 in total. 

Overall, the 44 Toi Ohomai teams took a total of 4,539,5236 steps over the 28 days with Taupō Campus member, Kassandra Kingi, taking out the most steps overall with 695,534 steps (or 403km!). This brought her team, the Wandering Warriors into first place for the most steps overall. The team included Kassandra, Sue Murray, Mel Church and Alistair Penrose. 

Lee Devoy, Telephonist at the Mokoia Campus really enjoyed the challenge with her team, the Tree Trust Trotters. “It was fun to get out there to increase the steps each day – our group continue to walk each day through the Tree Trust here in Rotorua which is a beautiful place to be.”

For more information about Toi Ohomai, please visit our website: www.toiohomai.ac.nz 

Alexandra Davids has always taken leaps of faith and this Friday will be her second from the Les Mills building in the CBD.

The second youngest candidate in the Christchurch City Council elections, Alexandra has always had a youth focus in her work and so the “fit” with the “Drop your Boss” fundraiser is perfect.

“The Graeme Dingle Foundation carries out life-changing work with young people in communities with high levels of social deprivation. I see that in my role as a community board deputy chair and my strong involvement in the youth sector in Canterbury and across New Zealand,” she says. “When you can make a difference, why wouldn’t you?”

Alexandra’s work includes helping to run youth camps and conferences.

“It’s a cliché I know but it’s also true – young people are our future. It’s been very hard for many of them especially over the last five years and if we don’t invest in our young people, what does that mean for the future for us all?” Alexandra says.

While out campaigning, the 31 year old has heard from many young people who want a change in the focus at council level, to include young people much more in decision making. The youth voice is also telling her there needs to be more for them to do, particularly in the Linwood ward in which she is running for council.

“We have a significant number of young people in this area and with the loss of community facilities, I’m keen to get that issue addressed by the city council,” she says. “We need a change in this part of town, representation-wise and I know I am the woman for the job.”

As well as her deputy chair role on the local community board, Davids also works with Neighbourhood Support, the Estuary Association, Keep NZ Beautiful and the representative for Zone Five on the Young Elected Members Board.

She chooses to see perceived problems as challenges that allow opportunities for the creation of extraordinary achievements and outcomes that benefit her local community.

“Abseiling off the Les Mills building on Friday is definitely a challenge and in fact having done it before makes it even more of a challenge as I remember how freaked out I was last time,” she says.

You can donate at https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/alexdaivids

ENDS
 

Make sure you look fabulous this summer wearing a tee that’s not only designed by one of New Zealand’s great designers, but helps raise funds for a great cause, as well.

This January, New Zealand’s number one online women’s clothing store, EziBuy, has collaborated with Breast Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) and three Kiwi designers; Moochi, Andrea Moore and Trelise Cooper, to launch a stylish collection of limited edition tees.

Each tee will be exclusively available to purchase from EziBuy and 100% of all proceeds from every t-shirt will be donated by EziBuy to BCRT to help find a cure for breast cancer. 

New Zealand has one of the highest incidence rates of breast cancer and has the third highest death rate in the western world. There is an urgent need to find a cure for breast cancer and stop it in its tracks”, says Phillipa Green from BCRT.

Green continues: “This is the first major fundraising initiative with EziBuy. By working together with three well-respected fashion designers, we are looking to raise funds to help find a cure for breast cancer.

“Created by Moochi, Andrea Moore and Trelise Cooper – each tee is a limited edition line, so you have to act quick if you want one, as they’re expected to sell out quickly,” says Edwina Neilson GM Marketing from EziBuy.

“What’s truly amazing about this campaign is 100% from the sale of each tee will go back to BCRT. From the designers, printers, models, stylists and photographers – everyone has helped provide their service for free, for which we’re extremely thankful of. This means all the money raised can go towards the number one cause – curing breast cancer.”

Each limited edition tee is exclusively available to purchase from the EziBuy contact centre (0508 500 500), on the EziBuy website (www.ezibuy.co.nz/cure) and at an EziBuy store (in Albany, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch).

For more information visit www.breastcancercure.org.nz and www.ezibuy.co.nz/cure.

RRP $29.99 and available in sizes XS to 3XL.

Over 786 keen golfers from Otago, Southland and Canterbury teed off to support the 2014 NZ Open and raise funds for a children’s golf charity at the inaugural New Zealand Open Day.

Clubs from all corners of the South Island - from Akaroa to Arrowtown, from Clearwater to Chisolm Park, and from Invercargill to Te Anau - collectively raised $3,320 for The First Tee.

Held concurrently across multiple clubs on Saturday December 7, each player at the events contributed a $5 entry fee on the day which will go towards the charity’s work, embedding core values into Kiwi kids through school and club-based junior golf programmes.

Each club was also given a pair of season tickets to the 2014 NZ Open in Queenstown which it gave away either by a lucky draw or to the winning team on the day.

NZ Open operations and marketing manager Michael Goldstein said the first NZ Open Day was “a huge success” with golfers from the Mainland coming out in force to support The First Tee.

“We’re proud to have The First Tee as a partner to the NZ Open and thank the golfing public for getting behind this valuable charity.”

“During the event there’ll be many other ways people can support the charity and children from the The First Tee will be volunteering and fundraising. “

The NZ Open is not just an opportunity to see some fantastic golf, but also get up close with sporting celebrities and experience the best of Kiwi food, wine and entertainment over four days," he said.

First Tee CEO Vicki Watson said they were “extremely grateful” for the support given by the NZ Open and all the golfers who took part in the day.

“It’s phenomenal to hear that over 786 golfers took part and it’s fantastic that people want to “give back” to Kiwi kids,” she said.

“The monies raised from the NZ Open Day will help us deliver The First Tee school and after-school programmes in each region.

“All monies raised regionally stay in that region and so it’s their local children who’ll directly benefit directly.

“Golf is so much more than a sport. It encourages integrity, sportsmanship, responsibility and perseverance – much needed skills to thrive in life.

“Our mission is to ‘grow great Kiwis through golf’ and we’re really looking forward to expanding our reach to make a difference to communities in Otago, Southland and Canterbury.”

Returning to Queenstown next year, the 2014 New Zealand Open from February 27 –March 2 2014 will be played in a Pro-Am format incorporating 132 professional players and 132 amateur players over the first two days.

Tickets to the NZ Open are on sale now via Ticketek at www.ticketek.co.nz.

About The First Tee

The First Tee runs two initiatives - the National Schools Programmes which exposes all children to the nine core values of responsibility, honesty, confidence, respect, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, judgement and sportsmanship.

Students learn the values through fun golf exercises that help them also grasp the fundamentals of putting, chipping, pitching and the full swing.  The First Tee’s second initiative is the certified golf programme, taught at golf clubs and driving ranges, which encourages these nine core values through specially designed PLAYER, PAR, BIRDIE and EAGLE levels.  Progress is closely monitored through specific coaching methods by exposing participants to actual playing experiences on the golf course.

With a target of $100,000, the innovative DineAid campaign has got off to a roaring good start with around $20,000 raised through Taste of Auckland initiatives.

And while the organisers won’t know exactly how much has been raised until year’s end, at the halfway stage they’re urging diners support participating eateries.

The two-month annual charitable campaign is designed to help hungry and homeless New Zealanders. It runs from November until New Year’s Eve and involves customers at selected restaurants and cafés nationwide donating their spare change to the cause.

DineAid has been Taste of Auckland’s charity of choice since both began in 2008 and around $20,000 was raised at the event and also at a charity auction.

Now DineAid ambassador and chef Annabelle White is encouraging Kiwis to help build on the great start.

“Our target for 2013 is $100,000 and with only a month to go it’s time to get out and support all the cafés and eateries participating in the initiative,” Annabelle says. “It’s simply a matter of adding $2 or more to your bill – how easy is that?”

Since it launched in New Zealand five years ago, DineAid has raised almost $400,000. Every single cent goes to City Mission Food Banks in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which distribute goods to 140 locations throughout the country.

Auckland City Mission’s Diane Robertson says the need has never been greater.

“The cost of the food in a food parcel for a family of four for four days is $62.71. Demand in Auckland has almost doubled in the past five years. We distribute around 11,200 parcels a year now.

“The food is hardly gourmet but we try to make it nutritious so I urge Kiwi diners to pause for a moment when they are paying their bill and think of those who are less fortunate than they,” Diane says.

With more than 150 restaurants and 200 cafés involved in this year’s campaign, all palates and budgets are catered for.

Diners have the option of adding $2 to their bill at the end of a restaurant meal or can drop $2 into collection boxes in any participating café.

For more information on DineAid and a full list of participating restaurants and cafes head to www.dineaid.org.nz

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is set to benefit by a minimum of $8,000 thanks to bed manufacturer Sealy NZ and four renowned local creatives.

Artist Otis Frizzell, fashion illustrator Kelly Thompson, musician Hollie Smith and fashion designer Tanya Carlson each designed a vibrant and unique print to cover a bespoke Sealy bed.

The beds are on auction on TradeMe (trade.me/SealyNZ) and in just over a week have already generated spirited bidding of around $2,000 each.

Kelly and Hollie’s auctions are scheduled to close on Sunday (1 December) and Tanya and Otis’ are set to close on Monday (2 December). All proceeds raised go to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation to support women with breast cancer.

Sealy NZ marketing manager, Jenni Gaze is delighted with the popularity of the designer beds. “It’s great to see New Zealanders getting behind such a worthwhile cause. The designer beds are truly unique works of art and we’re so grateful that some of the nation’s leading artists offered their involvement.”

Each of the four prints is very different, reflecting the artist’s design aesthetic. They range from flamingos and hibiscus flowers to kaleidoscope and Morocco-inspired prints.

A host of food-loving celebrities are supporting the DineAid campaign this festive season.

The charitable campaign runs from today (1 November) until New Year’s Eve and involves customers at selected restaurants and cafés donating their spare change to help the hungry and homeless.

Supporting the initiative in 2013 are New Zealand foodies and TV presenters Annabelle White and Nici Wickes together with media personality Jesse Mulligan.

They are encouraging Kiwis throughout the country to book at participating DineAid eateries and add just $2 to their final bill with all the funds going directly to the country’s City Missions.

“It is such a brilliant and simple idea,” Annabelle says. “Not only do diners treat their taste buds, they also have the opportunity to show their hearts are in the right place.”

Nici agrees, saying it’s tough to argue with just an extra couple of dollars added to a restaurant bill.

“I am eternally grateful that my job enables me to dine out so frequently. However, I am also acutely aware that for many in our communities it's a financial struggle being able to get a decent meal on the table,” Nici says.

“A small amount added to the bill at the end of an evening can make a big difference to someone else and that's the beauty of DineAid – a little goes a long way.”
Since it launched in New Zealand five years ago, DineAid has raised almost $400,000. Every single cent goes to City Mission Food Banks in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which distribute goods to 140 locations throughout the country.

City Mission spokesperson Diane Robertson says as a result of the programme thousands of New Zealanders will not go hungry this Christmas.

“We can’t encourage people enough to book at participating eateries during this campaign. We’ve had record numbers of people turning to us in times of need and these funds help stock our food banks not just at our busiest time – Christmas – but for the entire year,” Robertson says.

DineAid founder and world-renowned chef Mark Gregory is continually amazed at the amount raised by the simple contributions made by diners and is equally proud that not a cent is gobbled up in administrative costs.

“One the greatest things about this campaign is knowing every cent people give goes directly to helping feed those less fortunate. People who use city mission services have nowhere else to turn and are in desperate need of help,” Mark says.

“We are hugely grateful for all the restaurants and cafés that have signed up to DineAid, and to generous New Zealanders who go out of their way to dine at these places.”

November through to January is one of the restaurant industry’s busiest times, with Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

With more than 150 restaurants and 200 cafés involved in this year’s campaign, all palates and budgets are catered for.

Diners have the option of adding $2 to their bill at the end of a meal or can drop $2 into collection boxes in any of 200 participating cafés.

Patrons can simply search online at www.dineaid.org.nz to find their nearest participating eateries.

Aucklanders can share in the joy of giving this Christmas while also enjoying all the fun and excitement of the city’s 80th annual Farmers Santa Parade on 24 November.

For the first time, the Child Cancer Foundation is collecting donations at the festive event with all funds raised going to the non-profit organisation. The foundation receives no direct funding from the government or from any other of the cancer charities.

Child cancer is a pressing issue in New Zealand with three children diagnosed with the disease each week. The Child Cancer Foundation aims to reduce the impact of cancer by providing support services 365 days of the year, ensuring children and their families are supported, informed and well cared for at every stage of their journey and beyond.

Acting CEO, Simon Lala is thrilled to be aligned with the Farmers Santa Parade and welcomes the much-needed support.

“The parade is an iconic Auckland event and we are extremely grateful to be provided with such a wonderful fund-raising opportunity and to be able to offer children with cancer special VIP status on the day.” 

Farmers Santa Parade general manager Pam Glaser is delighted with the partnership and inspired by the work of such a good cause.

“We are so happy to be able to help those facing such a challenging journey. The Child Cancer Foundation is a wonderful organisation offering relentless support to New Zealanders in need,” Pam says.

Around 120 volunteers will be positioned on the parade route in the lead up to the Farmers Santa Parade on Sunday 24 November.  Collectors will be wearing bright blue uniforms so be sure to keep an eye out. There is also a text-to-donate option on the day so you can help to make a difference.

About the Farmers Santa Parade 2013

The Farmers Santa Parade hits central Auckland on Sunday 24 November (rain date Sunday 01 December).

Start times:

1:00 pm:  Pre-parade entertainment, product sampling and giveaways

2:00pm:  Farmers Santa Parade begins

3.30pm:  Santa’s Party, Aotea Square

The 2.2 km parade route starts in Mayoral Drive, turns left in to Queen Street, travels down Queen Street before turning left again into Customs Street West then heading up Albert Street, ending at Albert and Wellesley Streets.