2 days Ago By No Author
We’re takin’ these bloody cars to Invercargill boy – a snapshot from the 2023 run.The Pork Pie Charity Run is an inter-island NZ road trip inspired by the classic Kiwi movie ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’.Three teams from Warkworth will take part in the Pork Pie Charity Run, the bi-annual fundraising road trip for Mini owners from around New Zealand, from April 4 to 9.
They are: Team Foo What Aye with Sam and Willie Ryburn (both five-trip veterans); Team Nuts and Bolts with Blake Ryburn and Tom Mason; and Team Em and Em in the Mighty Mini with Emma Ward and Emma-Jean Taylor (both first-timers).Inspired by the classic Kiwi 1981 film ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’, the charity run loosely follows the route taken by the story’s three protagonists – aka the infamous Blondini Gang.But unlike the lone yellow Mini in the movie, the real-life road trip south will feature 50 Minis of all colours, shapes and sizes.
They will assemble in Paihia on April 3, depart on April 4 and arrive in Invercargill six days (and over 2300km) later on April 9 – hopefully, without the NZ Police in hot pursuit.The cars leave Invercargill on April 10.Event organiser Sam Ryburn, whose brother Willie founded the run, says last time (2023) they raised over $417,000 for NZ children’s charity KidsCan.
“This year we’re aiming to raise $500,000 for KidsCan. We’ve got a Pork Pie Charity Run website, porkpiecharityrun.org.
nz, where people can donate to a team and/or donate to the charity,” he says.When Mahurangi Matters visited the website last week $332,465 had already been raised for KidsCan (and counting), while the teams had also been accumulating donations to fund their respective journeys.Charity donations can also be made at the various towns on the route.
“Over the years we’ve become quite friendly with a few of the pubs along the way so they’ve all got donation boxes on their counters for their patrons. When we call in, we’ll have dinner and a drink with the locals,” Ryburn says.The first run took place in 2009 with 36 teams making the trip from Kaitaia to Invercargill over five days.
The subsequent seven events saw participant numbers increase significantly with the run extended to six days on the road. Due to the availability of accommodation and other logistical issues, it’s now capped at 50 teams – and entries this year sold out almost instantly. Historically, the run has fundraised for Starship Hospital, Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand, and KidsCan.
In total, almost $2 million has been raised since it began, with donations coming from up and down the country, which is testament to the effectiveness and reach of the road trip.“We just want to thank the awesome Warkworth community who have supported the Pork Pie Charity Run and KidsCan, not only this year but over the previous 10 years,” Ryburn says.“We (Sam and his brother Willie) both love Minis but we’re also into the fundraising side of it.
“And having a bloody good time really.”Spoken like he could’ve been a true-blue Blondini.To donate to KidsCan and/or support a team visit porkpiecharityrun.
org.nz.
