Santa should have no trouble finding parking for his sleigh after Papakura Local Board approved a grant that will meet costs associated with the town’s annual parade.
The money comes from the board’s small grants round and has been allocated to parade organisers Papakura Rotary.
Santa is more than welcome at the Harvest Christian Church’s Carols in the Park too, with the board also making a grant for that event, although members Felicity Auva’a and Andrew Webster took no part in discussion or voting on that.
Board chair Brent Catchpole says he couldn’t tell you how many parades he’s been too, but it’s ‘quite a few’.
“Every year when you see the smiles on the faces of the kids and the families out waving their flags and feeding off the excitement, it reminds you what a good community we have.
“Earlier this year we celebrated the volunteers who do so much for our town, and we look at groups like the Gurdwara at Takaanini, Papakura Marae, Smiths Ave and all the groups that applied for grants funding, and you just think we’re blessed.”
He says there is never enough to go around, with several groups missing out and others receiving less than they sought.
“We do our best to make the dollars go as far as they can and we encourage everyone to keep an eye out for our grants rounds because not being successful in one round doesn’t mean you won’t be next time.”
Other grants
- Badminton NZ – venue hire
- Papakura high School – printing costs
- Papakura Business Association – town centre upkeep
- Disability Sport Auckland – kits for participants
- KiwiOra Trust – Red Hill cooking course
- Melanoma NZ – nurse educators
- Communicare – provision of entertainment
- Drury Kiwanis – Red Hill Primary support
- Youthline – various costs
- Te Motu Creations – art costs
- Upsidedowns Education – speech therapy
- Redhill Community Centre – wifi and digital costs
- Southern District Chinese Assoc – venue hire.
Stay connected
Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? Sign up for our Papakura Local Board E-news and get it delivered to your inbox each month.
