A 24-hour shear-a-thon in the Maniototo has brought the community together for an important fundraiser for the Kirk family.

Organised by Scott Armstrong and Paddy Henderson, the mates worked together as shearers with Murray Kirk back in the day, and now they have roused up everyone they know to help out the family during this difficult time.

Murray has a terminal brain tumour and grew up in Oturehua, spending his whole working life crutching, shearing and tailing on farms in the Ida Valley, Becks and Omakau.

Shearing contractors across the district have donated staff and their time to shear 8500 lambs at Sandy Sutherland’s woolshed in Wedderburn from Friday 7am through until early afternoon on Saturday, as part of the ‘Clip For a Cause,’ event.

Farmers will pay for their lambs to be shorn, and all of the profits will be donated to the Kirk family.

Paddy is formally known as a Cromwell police officer, but he’s also been a shearer for the past 38 years, and part of his professional role is helping educate workers across the rural sectors - from shearers to RSE orchard staff.

As a rural liaison officer, he helps bridge the gap between the police and the shearing and orchard communities, helping people navigate challenges, from licences to personal wellbeing.

Paddy Henderson in the woolshed. supplied

Central Otago deputy mayor Tracey Paterson, of Matakanui Station is part of the catering crew in the kitchen at the shearing fundraiser, and said the entire community has been incredible with their support.

“The Kirks have always done a lot for the community,” she said.

The family has been involved with everything from the Becks Playground, the Central Otago A&P Show, Omakau Playcentre and School, and Matakanui Rugby.

Tracy said now was the time to be able to give back to them, with people filling numerous roles from rouses to pressers, shepherds, cooks and trucking support over the 24-hours.

“If no-one has seen a shearing display before, this is an opportunity to come and have a look,” she said.

https://centralapp.nz/Event/clip-for-a-cause-24-hour-shearathon/696832e9b8d40b002dbfd89f#top

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