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Song, dance and a whole lot of laughter have raised thousands of dollars for the essential free health shuttle service Linking Hands.
Waipu’s recent theatre production, The Last Song, featuring a large cast of local talent, raised a whopping $42,000 for the service, which runs entirely on donations and volunteer drivers.
Linking Hands provides transport for Bream Bay and east Kaipara residents who are unable to drive or have access to a car, to attend important medical appointments.
The service has become indispensable for many, given the rural areas have no regular public transport available, and enables users to continue to live independently. The money will go towards the purchase of another much-needed vehicle to join the fleet of eight, and will be based in Waipu.
Linking Hands office manager Fiona Brljevich says the service’s members were blown away by the donation.
“We were all speechless,” she says. “A big thank you to everyone involved for their incredible efforts, time and energy – we are so very grateful!”
Held at the Waipu Coronation Hall through July and August, The Last Song, a feel-good comedy celebrating a community’s love of karaoke, proved popular with show goers, with all six performances sold out.
Production team member Juanita McGoldrick extended a big thank you to everyone involved, including the cast, backstage crew and other volunteers, as well as the audience, for helping to make the event an outstanding success.
