Tuesday, 13 April 2021 12:55

Tanker drivers roped in for fundraiser

Written by  Mark Daniel

Fonterra's Pahiatua and Longburn based tanker operators have proven the benefits of pulling together - quite literally - by hauling their trucks by hand for charity.

The tanker pull was one of three team events dreamed up by shift team manager Michael Woodfield who wanted to raise the stakes for their Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser.

Teams of four had to complete the three challenges, including pulling a truck for 50 metres, eating dry Weet-Bix and reversing a truck and trailer around a 90-degree angle corner. The tasks were timed and judged and were carried out at the depots at around 6am before the drivers went out for their dairy milk runs.

Raising money for Relay for Life every second year, Michael wanted to up the ante, and it worked, more than doubling their usual fundraising total, this year pulling in almost $3,000 between the depots and the local Fonterra manufacturing sites.

Michael explains that he was compelled to really give their Cancer Society fundraiser a boost this year because "the last 10 funerals I've been to have been because of cancer. It's an awful disease and it affects everyone in some way."

It was a tight competition, but Longburn depot's Blue Shift took out the number one title and Red Shift from rival depot Pahiatua came in at a close second. A trophy's been donated by Longburn manufacturing site. It's hoped with an official prize to fight for, the challenge will become a more regular feature, proving a little inter-depot rivalry can also do great things for a great cause.

More like this

Featured

Southland Farmers Face Wet Weather Toll, Support Available

Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.

How Wearable Tech Powers This 1,850-Cow Dairy Farm

For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.

New Dairy Welfare Code Released, Takes Effect 2027

The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter