Back row from left are air crew officer Max Neustroski, Lisa Porter, Tiffany Jenkins, Kari Lalonde Bond, critical care paramedic Gareth McDougall and pilot Tony Brice.
Front row from left are Eastland Helicopter Trust chairman Ian Parker, Jesse Baker, Korine Stairs, Michelle Lomax and Anna-Marie Larsen. Photo / Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust
Back row from left are air crew officer Max Neustroski, Lisa Porter, Tiffany Jenkins, Kari Lalonde Bond, critical care paramedic Gareth McDougall and pilot Tony Brice.
Front row from left are Eastland Helicopter Trust chairman Ian Parker, Jesse Baker, Korine Stairs, Michelle Lomax and Anna-Marie Larsen. Photo / Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust
More than 200 motorcyclists from across New Zealand and Australia gathered on the East Coast this month in a celebration of female riders supporting a local cause.
East Coast Wāhine Toa Motorcycle Club presented a cheque for $8,135.20 to the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust over the weekend. The money willgo towards night vision equipment for the rescue crew.
The Wāhine Toa collective brought together 213 female riders from across New Zealand and Australia for a motorcycle event in Tairāwhiti as part of the 20th International Female Riders Day (IFRD) on May 2.
Held in more than 120 countries, the event unites women riders across the globe to “just ride”. The Tairāwhiti gathering became the first event of the day to officially get underway.
IFRD rides in New Zealand have previously been held in Taranaki, Waikato, Wairarapa, Napier and Taupō.
Members of Bitches Inc, East Coast Highway 35 MC and Gisborne Road Pirates SMC came together to form East Coast Wāhine Toa MC to host this ladies’ event.
“We wanted to showcase Tairāwhiti to the world while showing that female riders have their place on the roads and celebrating how awesome we all are,” said East Coast Wāhine Toa MC spokesperson Korine Stairs.
“The event was a celebration of women’s mana, with all proceeds going to the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust – a deserving cause that is vitally important to all of us, especially as motorcyclists.
“On behalf of East Coast Wāhine Toa MC, thank you to everyone who generously supported the event.”
The Wāhine Toa collective organised the recent motorcycle event in Tairāwhiti, bringing together 213 female riders from across New Zealand and Australia on May 2. Photo / Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust
Trust chairman Ian Parker said the funds would go towards new state-of-the-art night vision goggles for the rescue crew.
“What these wāhine have achieved is incredible,” he said.
“What started as an idea turned into an event with hundreds of riders promoting our region to the world.
“Every dollar helps keep the helicopter in the air and ensures we can continue delivering advanced medical care to people across the region, no matter where they live.”
