HAMISH BIDWELL
The third member of the Team Hawke's Bay First XV came on board this week, with Carters lending their financial support to the Magpies' push for premier division status.
The building supplies merchant joins Tremains and IMS, who have already pledged $20,000 to the cause.
Carters' Napier branch manager Peter
Edwards said it was only logical that a landmark Hawke's Bay company like theirs got behind the initiative.
"We're pretty passionate about this place and absolutely committed to getting behind the Bay's push," Mr Edwards said.
"Especially when we've put such a part of the community as Carter Holt Harvey. We've been here since 1859, when Robert Holt started the company and as we've grown up, Hawke's Bay's grown up alongside us."
But it's one thing to throw a bit of money at a scheme and get everybody on your staff decked out in Magpies jumpers. It is entirely another to go the extra mile that Carters have.
"We've been really pushing the $256 individual memberships and our sales rep team has been out and about at building sites distributing membership forms and encouraging people to come on board.
"I think we've probably handed out close to 200 in the last couple of days."
Mr Edwards said the feedback he has been getting from the public had been tremendous and he had a very real sense that people were right behind the bid.
"The thing is, we're never going to get another chance at this, so let's get behind it. I don't know about other people, but I know I don't want to be watching second division sides again at McLean Park next year."
Mr Edwards is now putting the onus on other Hawke's Bay businesses to match Carters' effort and show their support for the Magpies.
If $20,000 is beyond them, then perhaps they can join the likes of ATI Engineering and Ian Cooper Pre-cut, who have become $5000 Gold sponsors.
