Party set to help men's recovery

The Martinborough community will rally this weekend to raise money for two men battling their way back to health - one who was brutally attacked trying to evict an unwanted gatecrasher and the other injured in a farm accident.

Volunteer firefighter Peter Fisher was attacked in late October after he tried to eject a gatecrasher from a gathering of young people in Broadway St. He is expected to be allowed home some time next month.

Farm worker Brian Renwick was flown to Wellington Hospital not long before the attack on Mr Fisher, after an incident involving a seed planting machine on Pirinoa Station.

The Martinborough Community Christmas Party 2012, to be held on Sunday, has been organised to raise money for the families of both men.

Leah Hawkins, one of the organisers, said they had planned to hold some kind of event at this time of year after they organised the Martinborough Centenary Cabaret Ball.

The group decided helping the men was a good cause.

Miss Hawkins knew both men and said Mr Renwick was a great friend of the family.

She had spoken to the families of the men, who were onboard with the idea, and organisers were trying to get as many people along as possible.

"They're pretty stoked. They think it's great," she said.

The day will involve performances from The Noodles, Short Circuit and DJ Bad Man Doctor D. There will also be food and drink available to buy.

Miss Hawkins said the feedback from the community so far had been positive.

"Most of them are pretty keen and think it's a good idea," she said.

"It's a nice time of year to bring the community together."

She was unsure how much money would be raised.

The Martinborough Community Christmas Party 2012 is from 3.30pm on Sunday. Tickets are $25 each (children are allowed in free) and available from Ingredient, The Village Cafe, Kitchener St Dairy, the BNZ, and Pain and Kershaw.