Round the Vines fun run in Martinborough would have been held on October 17. PHOTO/FILE
ARTHUR HAWKES
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Round the Vines, the annual fun run in support of Martinborough School, was cancelled on Wednesday, after the uncertainties of covid-19 – it would have been the 25th anniversary of the event.
The school would now miss out on roughly $40,000 worth of funding, which has come as a blow to both the Martinborough community, and the hopeful runners all over New Zealand who compete each year in 10km or 21km events, in the craziest of costumes.
Principal of the school Craig Nelson said money raised in the fundraiser was allocated to larger projects that did not receive funding from the Ministry of Education.
So, while the school would not be short-changed for amenities, it would still lose out on funding towards a new sports turf that it had been saving towards for a few years.
“We’ve been saving for the last four years for a multi-purpose sports turf, to engage our kids in netball, hockey, and other things our community are pretty strong at – this would mean we could use the school as a bit of a hub for community involvement and engagement.
“Round the Vines is a pretty massive event; it’s more than just a school fundraiser, it puts Martinborough on the map, it brings good business into our community, and, with the school organising it, it seems to get a wide support network.
“It’s about well-being, it’s about raising money for the school, and it’s about having fun.”
Nelson said parent volunteers had been the foundation of the fun run since its inception, and thanked them for their tireless work towards this year’s event, which was officially cancelled on Wednesday afternoon.
Attitudes towards the announcement had been positive, with many people voicing support for the school, and for next year’s event.
Attendees now have the option to receive a refund for their entry fee, an entry into next year’s Round the Vines, or they can opt to donate it directly to Martinborough School.
