Some of the younger Te Awamutu Gymsports members going through their routines, overseen by head coach Alannah Caldon, with coaches Jess Owen and Madi Chisholm.
Te Awamutu Gymsports is hoping the lure of sweet family treats might help them fund the purchase of new equipment badly needed at its Palmer St premises.
The team has launched a Sweet Treats Fundraiser, offering people an opportunity to place their online orders for a selection of sweets by October 3, and then collect them from the gym on October 21.
Among the goodies up for grabs are gluten free chocolate brownie bites, cookie caramel slices, New York brownie slices, ginger slices and raspberry shortcake slices. All are being crafted by Original Foods in Christchurch, organised through Raise It, a New Zealand fundraising organisation which assists schools, charities, clubs and other groups.
Online fundraising is more popular than ever because of the Covid pandemic
Te Awamutu Gymsports committee member Alexis Waine said the fundraising initiative was needed to help purchase two new balance beams and a number of safety mats generally used around the beams.
Around $18,000 to $20,000 is needed, she said, and while some money has already been raised through sausage sizzles and other activities over the last year or so, a push is needed to get the remainder of the money in – hence the decision to do the online Sweet Treats Fundraiser. A portion of the sale price of every sweet treat purchased will go to the club.
“We are a non-profit club offering recreational and competitive gymnastics training for all ages,” said Alexis. “We have toddler classes through to school age students, teenagers and adults. We’re governed by a committee and taught by a mixture of paid and volunteer qualified coaches. Gymnastics is a great base for all sports. It teaches balance, strength and movement – all skills that translate into other sports. Kids move through skill levels called gym fun badges, and some of our competitive gymnasts are supported through coaching courses as they develop leadership skills as well.”
She said the club aims to keep costs as low as possible to ensure the resource is made available to as many people in the community as possible.
“As a result, when we need to replace equipment, we often need to apply for grants and/or fundraise.”
The beams in use at the gym are very old, she said, and the mats underneath them also need replaced.
The recent lockdown period has seen the gym extend its Sweet Treats Fundraiser. Orders must be in by October 3 and delivery of the sweets to the gym at 1 Palmer St, Te Awamutu is on October 21.
For more details go to https://tagymsportssweettreats.raiseit.co.nz/hub.
