Skyline Challenge 2026: Raising funds for Meals on Wheels
Every weekday delicious hot meals and tempting desserts are produced at Wharekaka for their clients in the South Wairarapa community. They’re called Meals on Wheels because they are delivered by a sterling bunch of volunteers in their wheels. The service is for eligible people who cannot prepare their own meals typically because of age, disability or illness.
“Meals on Wheels is a great concept because it meets the needs of a small, significant and vulnerable sector of the community,” says Julie Ward, Wharekaka Manager. “We deliver a hot lunch to a range of people who need assistance with cooking or eating well,” she adds.
“Meals on Wheels is a great concept because it meets the needs of a small, significant and vulnerable sector of the community,”
“Recipients may be someone recently discharged from hospital, someone recovering from illness and feeling under the weather, somebody struggling to put together a nutritious meal, referrals by agencies or doctor worried or concerned about a person’s diet or health,” says Julie.
Meals on Wheels is a New Zealand-wide support service coordinated and operated by the New Zealand Red Cross. Around 3,200 volunteers deliver more than 700,000 meals annually in 43 towns and cities, including Featherston, Greytown and Martinborough. The South Wairarapa activities are operated by the Masonic Villages Trust (MVT). MVT makes the meals at Wharekaka, the Woman’s Auxiliary organise their delivery locally in Martinborough, and delivers bulk meals to Featherston and Greytown for further distribution
“All proceeds from this year’s Skyline Challenge will be going to support our local Meals on Wheels service,” says Lee Quayle from the Skyline team. “Specifically, we are raising funds for kitchen equipment that will enable the service to operate more effectively if the chef is away, and to provide backup meals in emergencies, “adds Lee.
This year’s Skyline Challenge will take place on the middle weekend of the school holidays on Saturday 11 April 2026. There’ll be mountain biking, running and walking events over a range of courses suited to all ages and skill levels. The various courses on the hills of Martinborough offer spectacular views of Martinborough in Autumn as well as views to the South as far as the eye can see.
Entries are now open for all events. Just go to skylinechallenge.co.nz to register.
*There’s also running and walking events!
