The Rotary Club of Wanaka Book Sale raised more than $15,000 for the club last weekend (July 16-18).

The second-hand book sale is a regular feature of the local rotary club’s fundraising efforts but this is the first time the club has held the sale in the middle of the July school holidays.

“The club receives a number of funding requests throughout the year and this will go a long way towards assisting us meet the needs of the community,” Rotary Club of Wanaka president Richard Wallace said, adding that he was “extremely happy” with how the sale went.

The weather may not have been so good for skiing but it meant people flocked to the book sale in record numbers to find a bargain.

Past President of the Rotary Club of Wanaka Mike Elliot on the checkout. 

“We had a great response when asking the community to donate books and that went a long way to making the event a success,” Richard said. “We really had something for everyone.”

The book sale follows two other successful fundraising events organised by the rotary club in recent months. In June the club raised over $50,000 for the Otago Regional Helicopter through a cropping competition and in May raised $10,000 from a quiz night.

“It gives me great pride in the way the club pulls together to make these activities a success,” Richard said. 

Thanks to generous donations, there was something for everyone - even the youngest customers.

He said the club is always looking for worthwhile causes to support.

Recently, it has donated money to Food for Love to purchase a freezer trailer, provided funding to assist a young girl suffering from Rett Syndrome, and sent funds to Rotary International which is on a mission to vaccinate 100,000 children in the Pacific.

Richard said new members are always welcome and enquiries can be made via the club’s website.

To make an application for funding from the Rotary Club of Wanaka visit their website.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App