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PIRATES COLLECT GOLD FOR RMHC
The Pirates were on the road, shaking the buckets and making fun
for the children in and around Auckland for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Although the weather made the start a bit damp, spirits were high and the small group of Pirates took to the roads with great gusto and smiling faces. We started at McDonald's Greenlane with a hearty breakfast and a brief on the weekend event. A couple of nautictical miles away we stoped at the foot of No Tree Hill and had an awesome fun stop put on by the Appliance Shed Fire Engine. Grant and his team did a magic fun job and the public were pretty impressed with the funny actions as well.
We made our way along to Newmarket and Parnell for bucket shakes and eventually got to Ronald McDonald House to meet and greet the families there. We had a memorable time there with a liitle water demonstration and plently of give aways to hand out to the children.
From Ronald Mcdonald House we meandered via Queen Street onto the waterfront and cruised to Mission Bay for another bucket shake. Over the ridge to Mt Wellington and up the mountain, it was awesome. A quick lunch at Mangere Bridge and then we cruised over to Westgate Shopping Mall west of Auckland city. By this time the bucket shaking was going well, however quite a few people mentioend they were reluctant to make a donation due to the bad press some charities have had recently. We charged into Huapai Fire station for an awesome water battle, many tactics were employed by Steve (Fire Cheif) and his crew to ward off the Pirates advance. It was a funtime for eveyone, including the on lookers.
Around 4.00pm we got into Helensville and went to the end of town to be met by a somewhat layback bunch of fire fighters who were not sure what to do with us (first timers). Within a few minutes and a hundred litres of water sent there way, they caught on pretty fast and ripped into action. The public were most impressed with the Pirates teamwork and sent a flurry of gold coin and notes ointo the buckets for those Pirates who collect while the water is spread around. Thank you Helensville.
Once we arrived at the Springs Motel in Parakai, we all were keen to warm up in the spa pools in our rooms. The night function at Deb's Diner was great and lots of fun had by all, Marty must have got a few drinks under the belt as he started cartooning everyone. It was good to see the owners and their staff get into the swing of things that night as well.
Sunday norming at the Ginger Crunch (Rail Station turned into cafe) Cafe, we all had a mighty good breakkie and a good look around at the River Cottage Antiques as well as the Railway Museum next door. The rain had started really pouring down by now, so we headed off to Kaukapakapa. The Kaukapakapa Volunteer Fire Service were on the ready in the rain as we arrived. The waterfight was well fought and both Pirates and fire fighters agreed it was a draw, well done all and thank you for the hot uppa. Once we arrived in Silverdale the public came out of their churches and markets to give us some coins, thank you Sivlverdale, the rain did not deter your warm donations. Orewa was busy and this was good for the buckets. The Pirates got a warm welcome at McDonald's Restaurant Orewa and Grant managed to put a smoke flare under the McDonald's fire engine for good measure. We travelled the East Coast Bays stopping here and there for booty for the buckets. The East Coast Bays Fire Service were ready and although they had never taken on the Pirates in a water battle, they fared really well and full marks for their courageous efforts. The Black Thunder SWAT fire engine crew got to try out their foam (bath wash) suds on the fire fighters and this was quite successful. We finally ended up in Devonpaort and counted the booty and gave out prizes and trophies to deserving Pirates for a great and galant effort over the weekend. The newly weds on their honeymoon, Rick and Mel were very impressed with the start to their honeymoon and said they would be back to help out on the next Pirate event.... AAAARRGGHH !!
We manage to raise $1250.00 for the Ronald McDonal House Charities, well done eveyone.
The schedule was;
Sat 3rd Oct
8.00 - 9.00am McDonald's Greenlane
9.30am One Tree Hill
10.30am Ronald McDonald House
11.00am MtWellington
Noon Lunch Mangere
2.00pm Westgate Mall
3.00pm Kumeu Village
4.00pm Helensville
Sun 4th Oct
8.00 -10.00am Helensville Railway
10.30am Kaukapakapa
Noon Lunch McDonald's Orewa
2.30pm Rothesay Bay
3.00pm Mt Victoria
4.00pm Finish Devonport
For those wishing to join the next Pirates Adventure
to become a crew member or bring a vehicle
contact Marty at
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