A group of recognised seasonal employees (RSE) based in Alexandra have rallied to raise $4,000 for cyclone relief for their home country Vanuatu.

Around 100 people attended a games and entertainment day at Clyde Orchards Sunbury Park in Earnscleugh on Saturday April 8.

Spokesperson Cliff Takaro, a veteran of 14 seasons with Clyde Orchards, said the crowd paid a small entry fee to play games such as petanque, darts and pool.

“It went very well. We had a local boys string band playing music during the day and night.

“The bosses came along, and on food, the barbecue had steak and other meat and there was soup.”

Cliff Takaro

Drinks and cava were also for sale; all the proceeds have gone into a bank account specially set up for cyclone relief in Port Vila and Tana (two areas badly affected by cyclones Kevin and Judy in February and March).

Listen to the Nivan band play Kenny Rogers’ hit song ‘The Gambler’

Cliff said all of “the boys” (other Nivan RSE workers) have been frequently talking to their families.

“We are feeling like we are missing our families very much, mainly those with children or kids who are at high school, and also those who already have grandchildren.”

He said the group had heard from home that rebuilding was underway along with the replanting of food crops.

The group is not sure what the money will be used for yet and they will be meeting to see what else can be done.

Another shot showing damage to a house in the home village of an Alexandra RSE worker

Some of the Clyde Orchards crew. PHOTO: Central App

“We just really want to support people back at home.”

Central residents can donate directly to the cyclone relief bank account. (MN Meltenoven, CR Takaro and JD Kapalat 06-0917-0753848-00).