“We had to decide what to do with the money and, if it was to be donated, who to and how,” says former Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club member Diane Carter, who assisted with the wind-up process.

“We had majority decisions about who it would go to – including the rescue helicopter. And members were also united in the call to make their $6900 donation to the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust Endowment Fund.”

The investment account is one of more than 50 Special Interest Funds administered by Gisborne’s Sunrise Foundation in addition to its Named and General funds.

In the decade since it was established, Sunrise has supported over 160 local charities and community groups by distributing the returns on the investments it holds.

“We had three or four different options and held a vote on which one to go for,” Diane says.

“What our members liked about the Endowment Fund was that the money isn’t just handed over . . . it is invested so the returns can be gifted to the recipient indefinitely.”

Sunrise chief executive Glenda Stokes says that, over the years, donors have responded well to the foundation’s unashamedly Tairāwhiti-first approach of “all money raised here, stays here”.

“People do like our Special Interest Funds as they can choose a specific local charity or organisation to support, and our funds cover everything from art and sport to health and social justice,” she says.

“And they respond especially well to the idea that their donation is invested and grown so their generosity will support our communities’ needs forever.”

Donating via the Sunrise Foundation is just one way supporters can get behind the life-saving work of the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter and its team, with other options outlined on EHRT’s webpage (https://www.eastlandrescue.co.nz/donate/).

“As requirements for our services increase the efforts of the rescue helicopter team are in demand and we are so proud of the critical work they do,” says EHRT chair Ian Parker.

“But that does require us to raise around $700,000 each and every year, so we are tremendously grateful for donations like that from Runners and Walkers and all our other incredible supporters from across the region.”

Diane Carter says Gisborne Runners and Walkers ended up with a stash of cash because, as founders of the annual Gisborne Quarter Marathon (later The Gisborne Herald Quarter Marathon), the club would divide any funds raised in two – half for a nominated charity, and half for the club to run the next year’s event.

“It was always intended as a charitable fundraiser so passing on the remaining funds was always the intent,” she says.

“Our members were all keen to support a service that they, their family or any other members of the community could need at any time so choosing the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust as a recipient was a popular decision.”

While the money is gone, however, the will-to-walk is not and many club members still meet on a casual basis for regular outings and get-togethers.

“The club did start out as Gisborne Marathon Clinic but as time passed we ended up with more walkers than runners,” says Diane.

“But even that is very addictive and many of still like to get out there as often as we can.”

CAPTION: STILL WALKIN’: Getting together for a casual outing were Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club members who were instrumental in the winding up of the club and the charitable donations that resulted. From left: Bev Taylor, Lyn Robb, Helen Hampson and Diane Carter.