Holy Family Catholic School (HFCS) held a ‘Looney Laps’ event on Tuesday (November 19) to help raise money to upgrade the school’s tennis and netball courts.

HFCS teacher Kathy Pittaway told the Wānaka App students secured sponsorship from family, friends and businesses before dressing up in “wild and wacky costumes” and taking part in a fun-run obstacle course at Kelly’s Flat.

Sponsors either made a one-off donation or a per-lap donation and there were a range of prizes for students who raised the most money during the event.

All money raised will go toward the cost of resurfacing the school’s courts, which currently have their “original, rough concrete surfaces”.

Students dressed in ‘wild and wacky’ costumes for the fun-run.

“Unfortunately, accidents are quite common on these courts, often resulting in unpleasant grazes,” Kathy said. 

“We have long wanted to resurface them with a more forgiving material that would reduce injuries while also providing an all-weather surface suitable for a variety of sports.”

The school has raised around $19,000 towards the project so far.

Tuesday’s event was the second time Looney Laps has taken place.

Looney Laps was a fundraiser for new tennis and netball courts at the school.

“The Looney Laps event was held in 2021, when we were raising money to improve our school library, it was hugely successful and the children really enjoyed the event,” Kathy said. 

The idea was dreamed up by a teacher “and it has just grown from there”.

Locals who want to contribute to the cost of the courts’ resurfacing can do so here.

PHOTOS: Supplied