While the Vodafone Warriors may not have had much joy against the Sharks this weekend, New Zealand’s Emergency Services were the real winners on the day.
St John, The New Zealand Police, the New Zealand Fire Service, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust and the New Zealand Blood Service all featured strongly in activities in front of a very loyal crowd at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
The five-member teams had to do a light-hearted (yet totally competitive) relay during half time which involved doing hurdles, a body drag, a fireman's carry and a stretcher run.
Technically our relay team came in third… but we did have help from our St John/SPCA Outreach Therapy Pets volunteers (Cathie Perrot and Sharon Mischefsky) who “inadvertently” let their hounds - Nunu and Harry - run interference against the Police team.
The very fit NZ Fire Service team cleaned up, taking home the plastic “blowup” winner’s trophy, while the surfies cruised home in second.
As an added bonus volunteers collected $354.30 on the day, which is being put towards hosting next year’s St John Youth Festival.