Scores brave big freeze for good cause

CHILLY DIP: Young and old got behind the Life Education Trust by dunking themselves in Tikitapu (Blue Lake). PHOTOS/STEPHEN PARKER

Locals braving chilly temperatures in Tikitapu (Blue Lake) in an array of costumes may have raised some eyebrows but it was all for a good cause.
Around $7000 was raised from yesterday's dunk for the Life Education Trust.

The non-profit organisation teaches health to primary and intermediate school children.
Life Education trustee Jo-Anne La Grouw participated in the dunk, which she said had grown in popularity every year.

"Eighty-one people participated which is the biggest number we have had participate. We had a good chairman organising it and pushing people to enter it. This time we had teams entering which boosted the numbers."

She said people recognised the importance of the Life Trust, which visited every school in the district.

"We don't get any Government funding so all our money we have to raise ourselves, although each child that visits pays $2.50 but for that they also get work books, so we have to think of new ways to fundraise and you have got to make your fundraising fun.

"All in all it was very successful and we were very lucky with the weather; a week ago it would have been a lot worse."

Rotorua MP Todd McClay and mayor Steve Chadwick were among the brave participants.
"It was freezing - there was a big wind-chill factor and we got very cold waiting around but it's fun and there was good spirit," Mrs Chadwick said.