All aboard the Hawke's Bay Express for a good cause

The Hawke's Bay Express, pictured with owner Will van Asch, will be taking children on city tours next Saturday to raise money for a toddler with a rare genetic condition. Photo/File

A ride in a road train is being offered to the public next weekend to raise money for a Hawke's Bay toddler with a rare genetic condition.

The Hawke's Bay Express is offering Rides for Fred, 30-minute children's city tours around Napier, next Saturday.

Hawke's Bay Express owner Will van Asch said Fred is a Hawke's Bay toddler who has Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and needs to go to Australia with his family for treatment.

"He's going to have a very, very tough life."

The right treatment, which is available in Australia, is very expensive and Saturday's fundraiser is a way to help, he said.

Due to being busy with cruise ship tours, private functions and building a second train the Hawke's Bay Express hasn't been able to run its usual public daily tours this season, which runs from December to April, so Saturday's trips are also a way for the public to get back on the road train.

"This fundraiser gives locals an opportunity to ride the train as well as raising money for a good cause."

The city tours will have some interesting bits of information for the adults but its really for children who get to ride in a special vehicle without seatbelts and wave out to passersby who are always happy to wave back, van Asch said.

"Mostly it's about the children having fun."

There had already been a lot of interest in the fundraiser on Facebook and tickets had been selling fast.

The train will run every half hour from 10am to 1pm from Napier i-Site on Saturday, April 28.

Tickets are available from Napier i-Site in advance or on the day, adults $10 and children $5 (but must be accompanied by an adult).

All money will be going towards Fred's medical needs.

The Hawke's Bay Express was the first fully unrestricted road legal passenger road train in New Zealand.