9th November 2011
Survivor Scooter fundraiser a success
Project KPH has raised a grand total of $4500 to add to the charity’s bank balance after an epic Survivor Scooter fundraiser held over Labour Weekend.
This event marks the first fundraising efforts for the charity after some changes in 2011 that mean broader objectives in order to help a wider range of people.
The Survivor Scooter event saw twelve participants ride 50cc mighty machines over a four day journey, including stopovers in Kaiteriteri, Murchison and Punikaiki. The trip also included a testing route through the back of Denniston, which required participants to carry their scooters across a river.
“We rode from Picton to Greymouth covering over 700km’s with most of it off road, on 50cc scooters. The contingent left Picton at around 10am on Thursday 20 October and arrived in Greymouth at the legendary Battle of the Streets motorcycle races on Sunday 23 October, where we were part of the on track entertainment at lunch time,” says Project KPH founder, Leah Evans.
“You wouldn’t believe where these scooters went, we’re talking some serious off road trail riding here, including crossing the Mackley River, which would have been challenging enough on an appropriate dirt bike – and we did it on scooters! I’ll never look at a scooter the same way again - it was hilarious, so much fun,” laughs Leah
“Project KPH was nominated as the official charity of the Survivor Scooter event with part of the entry fee donated, as well as riders being able to raise funds along the way.”
Leah says she is very pleasantly surprised by the funds raised, the efforts that fellow entrants went to, and the generosity of the public met along the way.
“I really didn’t expect that we would raise a figure like that! We’re all excited with the outcome and very grateful to Survivor Scooter for nominating us as the official charity.
“There were a few of us who took the opportunity to dress up which I think went a long way to helping with collections. We had a ‘Ponch’ (from the show Chips), a ‘Hot Rod’ (an American stunt bike rider), and I rode as a punked ‘Tinkerbell’.
“It was a lot of fun as well as a serious challenge in every way. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life, made better by the fantastic group of people involved and the fact I got to help raise funds for Project KPH.”
Jason Monopoli, Survivor Scooter creator and head of MAD DOG Challenge says he feels privileged to be involved in Project KPH, and for the organisation to be involved in making a contribution to the charity.
“Project KPH gave me the opportunity to be personally involved by providing an inclusion for my son who has the gift of Autism at an event held at Ruapuna Raceway in November 2009 which was a wonderful event where he was able to just be himself and experience a truly special day out. We want to help raise funds so that the fantastic work that Project KPH does can be extended to help other kids with similar situations” says Jason.
Project KPH was established by Rotorua woman Leah Evans in October 2007, taking two “rev heads” with Cerebral Palsy to Pukekohe for Round One of the tier one motorsport competition. Since then, over one hundred children have participated in events and activities across New Zealand.
Project KPH launched new, broader objectives in 2011 which see the New Zealand youth focused charity offer opportunities to young people living with terminal illness, disease, disability, and/or other special conditions experience the rewards of realising their talents and dreams through unique projects that fit their passion and interests.
The project aims to provide a safe, positive, and encouraging environment to nurture and develop natural abilities and interests by getting up close and personal with the cream of New Zealand’s talent to build a bank of sustainable skills and resources.
Project KPH wasted no time in putting its new objectives into action with the first project ensuring a gutsy five year old girl named Zahnee who is passionate about horses is undertaking the opportunity and challenge to learn to ride, with the crescendo competing at a ribbon day – and then publishing a book about her experience to inspire other disadvantaged kids.
“Project KPH has had an unbelievably positive impact on these children and their families, it’s humbling, it’s magic. It’s an experience that is unique and holds true meaning for them.
“While these kids may have different individual challenges, they all have one thing in common – a passion for making the most of life. We try to help make that happen – it’s a simple format with genuine Kiwi heart, it just seems to really work.”
For further information about Project KPH, check out http://www.projectkph.com/ and the Facebook pages for both Project KPH and Survivor Scooter.
-ends-
For further information, contact:
Leah Evans
M 027 279 5523
E leah@projectkph.com
