Hairy Maclary project gets cash boost

FUNDRAISING: Creative Tauranga chief executive Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell and chairman Grant Sowter.PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

The Hairy Maclary Sculpture project planned for Tauranga's waterfront has been given a boost from local businesses with a $5000 donation, but more help is still needed.

Statues of Dame Lynley Dodd's famous canine characters are being kept at a top secret location until enough money has been raised to install them at the Waterfront.

The project has been founded by Creative Tauranga, but has been subject to various fundraising initiatives and is relying on cash donation from locals and businesses.

Tourism Bay Of Plenty, ASB Bank and Farmer Motor Group partnered together to donate to the cause, with representatives from the companies presenting the cheque to Creative Tauranga yesterday. The donation brings the amount of money raised to $564,000.

That leaves $92,000 of the total $656,000 to go, and Creative Tauranga chief executive Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell has urged for more local businesses and the community to get on board.

"It's a million dollar project for just under $700,000," she said. "When people see the statues, I think they'll see what all the fuss is about."

Tourism Bay Of Plenty marketing and communications manager Kristin Dunne said the sculptures were both a beautiful piece of artwork and a major tourist attraction. "From a tourism perspective, the book is huge internationally and nationally. It's a big drawcard for people coming to visit," she said.

The installation is planned for August and a storybook-style reveal is planned for September, but if the money isn't raised in time the project may be delayed until 2015.

Donations can be made at www.hairymaclarysculptures.org.nz.