Sheep, cupcakes and a rural woolshed perfect setting

Media Release Ticket to Hope event at Bendemeer
13 June 2012
Sheep, cupcakes and a rural woolshed perfect setting for Queenstown Cure Kids party

Put 15 kids, four pet sheep and the ultimate cupcake icing ‘heaven’ into a restored woolshed near Queenstown and you have the recipe for a perfect fun evening for children and their families living with life-threatening illnesses.

The youngsters were treated to the party of a lifetime at the Woolshed at Bendemeer, an exclusive rural development, held in conjunction with local businesses Queenstown Resort College and Cup & Cake.

The children came from all around New Zealand as part of the Cure Kids Ticket to Hope event, an annual initiative for children and their caregivers who enjoy a long weekend of activities, accommodation and catering to help them take a break from the day-to-day reality of their illness.

Following an action packed two days that included luging at Skyline, a visit to the AJ Hackett Bungy centre, skiing at Coronet Peak, Over The Top helicopter flights and a golf cart tour around The Hills golf course, the children arrived at the award-winning Woolshed at Bendemeer ready for a party.

And party they did – with pet lamb rides, cup cake decorating, a barbecue dinner followed by cup cake eating, rugby on the big screen and team challenge performances.

“It was such a great night, all about the kids and so satisfying to see so many huge smiles on faces,” said Bendemeer marketing executive Sarah Cairns.

“The night wouldn’t have been possible without support from a number of Queenstown businesses. Queenstown Resort College’s CEO Charlie Phillips supplied students and staff who provided impeccable service and catering, and fantastic cupcake decorating was arranged by Jamie Stodler from Cup & Cake.

“Four delightful pet lambs William, AJ, Lucy and Mac were kindly loaned for the event by Queenstown locals John and Amanda Cushen from Queenstown Country Lodge and were an absolute hit.

“The kids were able to pat them and even ride William, who’s a little on the plus side as far as sheep go!”

Ms Cairns said she was thrilled to be able to work with Cure Kids event organiser Josie Spillane and offer a unique ‘country-style’ venue where the children and their families could really let their hair down, run around and have heaps of fun.

“We set up the Woolshed to be warm and cosy with tables and cushions and a Cup & Cake decorating station, and it was an was incredible event for QRC students to be involved in and gain further insight into all the great work Cure Kids does,” said Ms Cairns.

The children were excited to be joined by former Shortland Street actor Will Hall, who is a long-time supporter of Cure Kids, and raised $13,000 for the charity last year.

“The kids had an absolute blast, decorating 48 cakes and letting their creativity run wild,” said Cup & Cake owner Jamie Stodler.

“These kids have seen their fair share of ups and downs, so it was great to see them having fun. Cupcakes make people happy, you can’t help but smile.”

Ms Cairns said Bendemeer was honoured to be aligned with such an incredible cause.

“Ticket to Hope is such a special event that all of these children will never forget, and we look forward to being involved in more Cure Kids events in the future,” she said.

ENDS

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