Sixteen local organisations or individuals have received grants from the Rotary Club of Wānaka in the past year and, along with a grant to Rotary International, the club has distributed $152,591.

Club president Mike Elliot said 88 percent of funds distributed have gone to local causes with the balance going to causes around the world. 

“This is probably the biggest year we’ve had in terms of funds raised and grants made,” Mike said.

“It has been a very rewarding year under past-president Richard Wallace, and the club is delighted to be able to assist so many local organisations.”

The club’s fundraising activities include the Rotary Club of Wānaka book sales, the annual duck race, and the winter cropping competition. Mike said public support for these events has been exceptionally good.

Nicola Soper seeks some advice from Rotary Club of Wānaka member Colin Sharp at last weekend's book sale.

“Many of our events are well established and people support them every year,” he said. 

“We’re very grateful for the support and hope that announcing the funding that goes back into the community will encourage people to participate in our events in the future.”

Local grants ranged from $1,000 to $53,000, Mike said, with the main beneficiary being the Otago Rescue Helicopter.

“The helicopter is a critical lifeline for our community and to be able to distribute funds raised in the community to that service is very appropriate,” he said.

Significant grants were made for the establishment of the Eely Point bike track, the purchase of a van for Kahu Youth, the purchase of a chiller trailer for Food for Love, and to Mount Aspiring College to assist families with uniform costs.

Mike said the Rotary Club of Wānaka book sale held last weekend (July 22-24) raised almost $13,000 from the sale of close to 5,000 books.

“It was a pretty big three days but well worth it,” he said.

The Rotary Club of Wānaka has approximately 60 members, all of whom take part in the different fundraising efforts throughout the year. It is governed by a board of directors with funds distributed by the Rotary Club of Wānaka Charitable Trust.

Find out more about the club here.

The full list of grants are:

• Aspiring Gymsports $2,857
• Coast Guard Wānaka $2,000
• Eely Point bike track $10,000
• Food for Love $8,044
• Grow Wānaka Community Garden $2,400
• Hāwea Playgroup $3,000
• Individual sport grant $1,000
• Kahu Youth $10,000
• Life Education Trust $500
• Luggate Albion Cricket Club $1,000
• MAC uniform assistance $10,000
• Otago Rescue Helicopter $53,660
• Precious Beginnings $3,000
• Rotary International $27,500
• Special needs chair $3,000
• Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust $4,000
• Upper Clutha Plunket $7,630
• Youthline $1,000

PHOTOS: Wānaka App