Q'town bushfire campaign hits $45k - $25,000 from event

Queenstown managed to raise $45,000 towards the Aussie fire-fighters over the past week - with a little help from Wanaka.

Wanaka bushfire fund-raising organiser Jay Simon made the trip over the Crown Range to team up with event originator Shay Muddle (see main image above) - bringing donation buckets, Australian flags - and heaps of enthusiasm.

The Lions Club of Queenstown kicked off the fund-raising with $14,000 last week, with the money then linked to the official Givealittle page which has received donations totalling $4,635 - with the biggest donation of $1,500 being from the Sherwood Hotel. The Lions fund of $14,000 mainly came from $10,000 being a donation from Tonnie and Erna Spijkerbosch, owners of the Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde.

Organisers Rik and Kat Van Dyke contributed $200 to the Givealittle page.

Shay Muddle told Crux today that it was all about tidying up after the big day. "We're all exhausted - but it was a great event" said Shay, adding that the project started as a "small thing at Earnslaw Park" before people "above my pay grade took over."

Main Image: Event originator Shay Muddle (left) with Wanaka fundrasier Jay Simon.