Baton’s Up draws packed crowd in support of community hall

• Published date: 29 September 2022

The inaugural Baton’s Up event, recently held at Karikari Peninsular, was one of the peninsular’s most successful events, with an abundance of businesses donating prizes to help raise funds for the Karikari Community Hall

200 people packed out the community hall to take part in the proceedings, which raised $4000 and included a potluck meal, auctions and giveaways.

Karikari Community Hall chairwoman Judy Billington said the reason for the fundraiser was to raise vital funds for the hall, which was in dire need of repair work.

Billington said she and the committee decided a fundraiser would be the best way to get the hall back up to scratch, and approached local businesses for support.

“I walked the streets of Kaitaia for about a week, going into individual stores to ask for their help,” Billington said. “I was just so blown away by the generosity of all the businesses.

“After COVID-19 a lot of people are doing it tough, yet still came through with money or donations; it really restored my faith in humanity.”

Billington explained how she was around at the first sod-turning...