All sorts of Plunket supporters across the motu got together over a cuppa and dunked some bickies while raising funds, thanks to the Arnott’s Dunk Kits (boxes of goodies to host a morning or afternoon tea with). Or they got creative and dunked things like basketballs, or even dunked themselves into ice baths and the sea (you may have seen my brisk Wellington Harbour dip)!
Together, you helped us raise almost $150k! These funds will keep our vital community services going strong, so we can be there for parents and help future generations thrive.
There were so many brilliant Dunkers, it’s hard to spotlight one or two. A top individual Dunker has to be Clare Green, a creative fundraiser who ‘dunked it her way’ for Plunket by dunking paintbrushes all September long to create beautiful artwork for friends to purchase.
A Community Team that topped the leaderboard was Cromwell Mums & Bubs who kept increasing their goal after each playgroup and every Mums & bubs Pilates catch-up because of local generosity! Workplaces that stood out were HOOP that literally shot basketballs through hoops for Plunket in their office, and the team at Vidak who had never baked before in their lives but bravely held a bake sale for a good cause.
For the first time ever, we approached schools to Dunk it for Plunket and were amazed at some of the efforts, like from Future Focus ECE. They used their Dunk Kit to treat parents at drop-off in the morning and the wee ones dressed up and ‘had a coffee’ too. See Courtney and team in action in their gorgeous video. It’s no wonder that they smashed their fundraising goal!
We also absolutely have to spotlight Marsden School. Our brand ambassador, Isla, got together with some fellow Marsden students to get Breakfast TV reporter, James Fleury, into an ice bath at the end of a dunking obstacle course! A super creative way to Dunk it for Plunket and ‘dunk it their way’.
Thank you to those who dunked it for Plunket this year, and to those who sponsored a Dunker by donating during their event or online. Dunk it for Plunket brought friends, whānau, colleagues and schools together this year over a hot cuppa, a lot of fun, and a shared love for Plunket. It’s truly amazing to see such a unique and joyful fundraiser growing into an iconic national event.
If you fundraised this year and would love to participate next year, please email supporters@plunket.org.nz to ask to be added to the VIP Dunker 2025 list!