“You can’t live in Martinborough and not notice that we have a fabulous, supportive, hardworking, creative community”, Skyline Challenge’s Lee Quayle told The Star ahead of the event.
There are two sides to running events in Martinborough – contributing and receiving.
“Martinborough Lions are fortunate to be on both sides of that divide,” said Lee.
“While we contribute to the community by creating, running, supporting and evolving an event like the Skyline Challenge, we also receive huge amounts of support from the community.”
Besides having an event for locals and others to join in, Skyline Challenge is also a fundraiser for local groups and charities. Last year money was raised for the Pump Track and proceeds from this year’s event are going to Martinborough Medical First Response Service run by the local Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Support comes in many shapes and forms.
“We’d love to take this opportunity to explain where that support comes from, what it looks like and how it helps,” Lee said, “because, frankly, without this help the event simply wouldn’t happen.”
First port of call before any event is the farmers over whose land participants will be biking, running and walking. These are working farms and arrangements for stock, gates and crops have to be made to accommodate the event.
“It’s an extra burden on these farmers and families, their staff, the animals and on the land itself,” Lee noted. “So, we’re extremely grateful for their support. Just marvellous!”
Martinborough Lions would like to specifically thank Charlie and Ange Cresswell from Huangarua; Mike and Philippa Arapoff of Awatane; and James Bruce from Martinborough Station. “We’ve also used Oystershell farm in the past and may again in future, so many thanks to Mason Topp.
Green Jersey Explorer Tours are the major sponsor of this year’s and last year’s events. “James, Joe and the team are fabulous to work with, providing us with financial support, physical help by making bikes available for hire, and ideas on how to improve the event and make it more enjoyable for participants,” Lee said.
The other major financial sponsors are local businesses Tora Walk, Martinborough Hotel, Union Square, Mint in Martinborough, Cotter and Stevens. P&K 4 Square have also donated goods in kind to provide refreshments.
Marketing input came from Charlotte Harding at the Business Association. The group also thanked Sue Sullivan and Pat Church for help with the new walking courses.
Dave Bray always provides walkie-talkies, Langland Motorcycles lends a couple of quaddies, P&K Mitre 10 organised the loos and lent a tent, Dave Gibbs gave a lamb for the bbq, Fiona Tricker (Depict Design) did the posters and billboard designs, Wairarapa Multisports lend their tent.
As Lions are a service club, they’re not allowed to single out individuals for their input. “Just know that there’s a team working hard to make it happen and a fabulous bunch of people who help out on the day for what is a major fundraising event for Martinborough Lions,” adds Lee Quayle.
