Ziptrek Locals’ Day fundraises $7,225 for Sustainable Queenstown

A record number of locals braved heights to fly through a forest in Queenstown on Sunday raising thousands for a good cause.

Ziptrek Ecotours has generated $7,225 for Sustainable Queenstown through its annual Locals’ Day fundraiser - a sell-out event this year.

Local DJ LJGroove entertained guests on the treehouse deck.

Southern Lakes and Central Otago residents were given the chance to experience the eco-exhilarating fun of ziplining high above Queenstown at a significantly reduced rate with 50 percent of proceeds ($25 per person) donated to Sustainable Queenstown.

"We're blown away by the amount raised through Ziptrek's Locals’ Day and are extremely grateful to have been chosen as the recipient charity,” Jess Larmont, the executive officer of Sustainable Queenstown, says.

The donation will cover the costs of the charitable trust’s upcoming Trust the Chef food rescue dinner with KiwiHarvest.

The event will raise awareness of food waste and food insecurity in the Whakatipu and act as an additional fundraising evening for both charities through ticket sales and a silent auction. 

And it couldn’t have come at a better time. 

“Both our charities have had funding cuts recently so this support from Ziptrek and our local community is so heartwarming and will contribute to the mahi we do in Queenstown Lakes," Ms Larmont says.

Ziptrek executive director and owner Trent Yeo says he's delighted by the turnout.

"We want to thank everyone who got behind our Locals’ Day and helped to support two important community organisations that drive our town.

“Nothing like some record-breaking fundraising to get our community excited about the return of travel to Queenstown Lakes.” 

Main image (Supplied): Close to 300 Whakatipu locals joined in on the zipping fun.