Hazel Howie, Alisha Matthews and Arlo the dog on the Gumboot Friday Dog Walk in Tauranga.
Dog walks, mini putt and crafts are just some of the ways Tauranga people are getting in behind Gumboot Friday tomorrow.
People around New Zealand are being encouraged to slip on their gumboots as they go about their day on Friday and give a gold coin to Mike King's IAM HOPE mental health charity campaign.
The campaign is raising funds to provide free and timely counselling for school-aged Kiwis.
More than 500 tickets have been sold for Te Tuinga Whānau's Gumboot Golf event in Masonic Park.
Carol Wilson, Tommy Wilson and Marcia Taikato-Whauwhau are gearing up for Gumboot Golf. Photo / George Novak
Hazel Howie and Arlo the dog are ready for the Gumboot Friday dog walk. Photo / Andrew Warner
Dozens of people have indicated an interest in a Gumboot Friday dog walk organised by Tauranga friends Hazel Howie and Alisha Matthews.
They invited dog-lovers - with or without pooches - to take a walk in Yatton Park between 9am and noon and visit their stall to make a donation.
In Te Puke, staff at Carter House Lifecare rest home decorated gumboots and invited residents and other staff to vote for their favourite and donate.
Staff at Te Puke rest home Carter House Lifecare decorated gumboots to raise money and awareness for Gumboot Friday. Photo / supplied
Mount Maunganui mum Sharon Wellington was planning a big Friday push to achieving her goal of climbing Mauao 38 times in 30 days in support of the cause.
She had 10 climbs to go as of Thursday afternoon, had raised more than $600 and was enjoying the mental health benefits of regular exercise.
Million Dollar Gumboot auction postponed
The auction of Mr G's Million Dollar Gumboot artwork has been postponed to next year. Photo / George Novak
The auction of Mr G's Million Dollar Gumboot has been postponed until next year.
Pāpāmoa artist Graham Hoete gifted a carved wooden gumboot artwork to the I AM HOPE campaign in February with a plan to auction it off live on Seven Sharp on Gumboot Friday, hopefully raising $1 million.
Hoete said that after the terrorist attack in Christchurch last month, he, Seven Sharp and Mike King decided to postpone the auction and save it for next year's campaign.
The decision was out of respect for those who died and sensitivity to the still-raw event, as well as to give the auction, which had lost momentum, a better chance of meeting its goal.
A Givealittle page for the artwork closed on Friday with $11,000 raised. Mr G gave his "heartfelt thanks" to all who had donated and said the money would go to the I AM HOPE campaign as planned.
Gumboot Friday events
• 9am to noon: Gumboot Friday Dog Walk, Yatton Park, Merivale • Noon to 9pm: Gumboot Golf, Masonic Park, The Strand • Anytime: Donate via the I AM HOPE Givealittle page, in Kiwibank or PostShop branches, at participating stores or direct to account 38 9020 0336055 01.
IF YOU NEED HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
Or if you need to talk to someone else: • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7) • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) • Youthline: 0800 376 633 • Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7) • Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (Mon-Fri 1pm to 10pm. Sat-Sun 3pm-10pm) • Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7) • Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 • Samaritans 0800 726 666
