Ray White and Canterbury Rugby celebrate successful Boots for the Bay drive.

Thanks to the generosity of the people of Canterbury, the ‘Boots for the Bay’ boot drive led by Ray White and Canterbury Rugby has been lauded a success.

Following the devastation of the Cyclone Gabrielle, the aim was to collect pre-loved boots and shoes to donate to victims of flood ravaged Hawke’s Bay.

“We’ve seen the power that Rugby has to connect and bring communities together,” said Ray White’s Claire Morris, “following the devastation left by Cyclone Gabrielle, it feels even more important than ever that we support this.”

“By helping facilitate the boot drive, it is hoped that we can get assist the Hawke’s Bay community to get back out on the field and enjoy this game that we all know and love!”

Canterbury Rugby CEO Tony Smail agreed, reflecting on the Unions own struggles following a disaster, and the power that reconnecting our community can have as we all rebuild.

“We know about the struggles that are imposed by natural disasters, and to have this opportunity to provide boots to a community that we know needs all the support they can get at the moment is a special way for us to pay back some of the aroha and generosity that has been shown to us in the past.” Smail said.

The boots collected will now be packaged up and sent north, where they will be greatly received by Hawke’s Bay and the rugby community.

“Our community has been through a tough time,” said Hawke’s Bay Rugby Commercial Manager Dan Somerville, “to have the support of our wider rugby community in Canterbury is touching and will help a number of our community get out on the field in 2023.”