Northland hotelier set to take on the Cook Strait on a personal watercraft for a great cause.
Eagles Nest General Manager Callum Farnell is next month setting off on a six day, 600 kilometre voyage to raise money for the Melanoma Foundation.
Mr Farnell has entered the Yamaha Melanoma Foundation ‘Ski-NZ’ challenge for the second year in a row and is calling for support. Riding under the Team Spray Tech/Team Farnell banner, Mr Farnell is pairing up with Peter Whale for the cross-island adventure. The pair aim to raise $15,000.
The event consists of a voyage from the Whanganui Inlet to Wellington harbour on a personal watercraft – commonly known as a jet ski – to raise funds for and awareness of the education, prevention and treatment of melanoma in New Zealand.
“I’m thrilled to take part in this event for a second time,” Mr Farnell says.
“It was a real blast last time and I’m sure it will be this time too. The best part is combining the elements of racing and adventure, if you will, all for such a fantastic cause.
“Melanoma is a terrible and very aggressive form of skin cancer that, unfortunately, has a high rate of incidence in New Zealand.
“It’s been fantastic to see local Northland people and businesses choosing to sponsor us in raising funds for the cause. IC Motor Group Whangarei have been outstanding, as have Volkswagen New Zealand.
“Even if it’s a little or a lot, it all counts. Please, consider sponsoring our team for this one,” he says.
Mr Farnell and Mr Whale begin the trip at the top of the South Island on March 9. From the Whanganui Inlet, the pair and fellow Ski-NZ participants will make their way past Farewell Spit, Takaka, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson, French Pass, D’Urville Island, Picton and, finally, across the Cook Strait to finish in Wellington Harbour on March 15.
With safety as a top priority, participants will be accompanied at all times by a safety team consisting of medical support persons, personal watercraft mechanics and an on-water recovery crew.
Those wishing to sponsor Mr Farnell and Mr Whale’s team can do so by visiting:
www.fundraisingonline.co.nz/spraytechfarnellracing
The Eagles Nest is an award-winning luxury hotel overlooking Northland’s Bay of Islands. The retreat is located above Russell and ‘Somewhere between the seven stars and heaven’.
