An art auction to raise funds so youngsters can experience walking trails around the country was well attended on Saturday.
An art auction to raise funds so youngsters can experience walking trails around the country was well attended on Saturday.
Hawke's Bay artists have helped raise about $15,000 to help organise walks on New Zealand trails for disenfranchised youngsters.
Work by acclaimed painters, including Dick Frizzell and Martin Poppelwell, went under the hammer on Saturday at Paratene Matchitt's art studio in Ahuriri, to raise money for the Te Araroa OffersHope Trust.
Veteran social justice campaigner Pat Magill said about 180 people came to the event and, while there hadn't been an official count, it had raised about $15,000 toward the trust, which is building a network of organised walks along Te Araroa trail, from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
There were still some paintings available that had not sold.
"The public responded well because the story of the walk was clearly illustrated.
The artists that gave generously were all very happy to contribute," he said.
His daughter-in-law, Jo Magill, spoke about her 550km walk from Cape Reinga to Auckland. On September 26 she will embark on the next leg of the journey
