Makikihi School children dressed in pink to show their support for the upcoming Pigs Day Out pig racing event.
Pupils also brought in gourmet Christmas food items to give to the Waimate Food Bank.
Makikihi School principal Tina Ivamy said if the 30 children brought $1 each, $30 would not go as far as it used to.
‘‘Instead, we asked for the kids to bring in gourmet Christmas food and we managed to fill a washing basket, which is much better value.’’
Makikihi Country Hotel manager Belinda Low said funds raised from the pig racing event would support both Makikihi School and the Waimate Food Bank.
‘‘The pigs are untrained, which will make it even more fun and interesting on the day.’’
Mrs Ivamy said as a smaller school and town they had to think outside of the box when it came to fundraising.
The Pigs Day Out fundraiser had been an annual event until the Covid-19 restrictions.
Waimate Food Bank assistant operations manager Stacey Hall said they had been completely blown away by the community’s support.
‘‘We’re gobsmacked by the generous support, it has been great. All of the Christmas food donated by the school will be put into Christmas packages along with other ingredients to help with Christmas dinner for those who are struggling around the holiday season.’’
The Pigs Day Out is being held on November 26 from 2pm at Makikihi Hotel.
