It's that time of year again when thousands flock to Waimarama Beach for some fun in the sun at the Surf Life Saving Club's annual beach day.
At the beach event this Sunday the lifesaving team want the public to give them a helping hand through donations so they can continue helping others this summer.
Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club chairman Tony Pattison said just as those who find themselves in trouble in the water put their hand up for help, the lifesaving club was putting its hand up for donations.
"Beach day is a great way to involve the community and it's a good day for everybody but the message is about helping people out in terms of surf lifesaving so we can help others that are in need."
Waimarama Beach Day co-ordinator Debbie Morgan said the beach road block to collect donations would have an eftpos option this year for people who didn't carry cash.
"This is for people who haven't got any cash but do want to donate. They can jump out of the car and give $10 or something."
Preparations for the big event had been "enormous" this year with extra focus on developing a kids zone to make the event more family friendly, she said.
"An enormous amount of work has gone into this year's beach day. We've started this kids zone in the main area so we can entertain the younger children and promote the club a lot more."
The 2018 Kids Zone, sponsored by The Cherry Grove Childcare and Family Centre, would run a bouncy castle, games and Fonterra train rides from 10am to 2pm.
Preceding the staple Mr and Miss Waimarama beauty competition at 2pm would be a beach dig at 10am, sandcastle competition at 10.45am and dash for cash at 12pm.
All money raised helped with ongoing costs and promoting lifesaving to the younger generation, she said.
"We're always having to replace boards and equipment. It costs an awful lot of money to run the club, and to increase the interests of young children to come on board and be a lifeguard you have to give them the watercraft to learn on."
Ms Morgan said the club made $8000 at last year's beach day, $3000 from the road block, and hoped people came prepared to donate on Sunday.
"We've got the kids zone, food, train ride, the helicopter coming in. All these things amount to a good day out for the whole family and eftpos will be available if they don't have any cash.
"If you are coming out, come with some cash, a big smile on your face and there'll be lots of freebies. We're got Mr Apple coming, small rugby balls we'll be throwing in and giveaways some businesses in Hawke's Bay have donated."