Scooters swarm on Southland

In 2017, PlaceMakers once again got behind Blue September to help raise awareness of the disease, and this year’s campaign theme ‘Blue Do’ aimed to encourage Kiwis to get together with colleagues, family and friends to hold a fundraising event. Here’s what some of our stores got up to!

PlaceMakers fifth bi-annual Southern Scooter Challenger attracted more than 100 adventurous riders who travelled the roughly 220km from Bluff to Queenstown in wind and the rain to raise awareness of the dangers of prostate cancer.

The convoy of 100 scooters leaving Invercargill on its way north to Queenstown.

PlaceMakers Invercargill Trade Manager and scooter jockey Nathan Brown said that between them, the riders raised in excess of $70,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

“We’re pretty pleased with that amount, but more importantly we were able to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the fact that early detection is the best defense,” said Nathan. “People stopped everywhere to take photos and videos of us on our journey – it’s a good way to spread the Blue September message.”

The riders departed for Bluff under grey skies and were accompanied on their travels by the occasional squall of rain; however, they didn’t let that get in the way of their fun.

“Everybody had a great time! I had a guy who normally rides Harley Davidsons tell me he couldn’t believe you could have this much fun on a 50cc scooter!”

“The costumes were great this year, as always. It’s just an awesome event and it’s pretty hard to describe unless you’ve been part of it – you feel like you’re in a beehive with all the engines buzzing around you!”

Celebrity guest and local legend Jimmy Cowan, who made 51 appearances for the All Blacks and was the second player in Highlanders’ history to reach 100 caps, completed the ride in good spirits after getting involved with less than a week’s notice.

Fuelling up  

PlaceMakers Cranford St and Kaiapoi store operator Alister Rance’s scooter died on the home stretch on the Devil’s Staircase.

The convoy stopped in Lumsden to enjoy a complimentary lunch courtesy of the catering team at Rapid Relief, organised by PlaceMakers Invercargill Telesales Operator Tash Clay and Operations Manager Shelley Stevens.

“They put together the whole event and did a fantastic job. They made sure we had a police and St John escort, and also a support crew to pick up any stragglers,” said Nathan. “We had around eight breakdowns this year, which is a few more than last year, but that’s just part of the day.”

That number included Alister Rance, PlaceMakers Cranford St and Kaiapoi store operator, who travelled from Christchurch to join the convoy. Unfortunately for Alister, his scooter died on the home stretch on the Devil’s Staircase. However, he still managed to enjoy himself!

Concerned readers will be pleased to know that stranded scooters and their riders were picked up by supporting vehicles and delivered safely to the finish line!