Sweet idea inspires organisers

Inspired by 17-year-old paddler Jenaya Davis, Vaka Eiva organisers are running a ‘guess how many jelly beans’ competition to raise more funds for Te Vaerua Rehabilitation Service.

Before coming to Rarotonga for her second Vaka Eiva – Davis raised funds for Te Vaerua at her high school in Queensland.

She raised $400 and inspired Vaka Eiva co-ordinator Victoria Dearlove to run the same competition during the paddling festival.

Shortly after the competition was announced at the Muri sprints yesterday – $200 had already been raised.

The jelly bean jar will be at the Avarua harbour today where you pay to make a guess and the funds will go towards Te Vaerua and you walk away with the satisfaction of helping a local non-profit organisation and maybe a jar of jelly beans if your guess is correct.

The competition will run right up until the closing of the Vaka Eiva Festival on Friday night.

Davis’ generosity and thoughtfulness is very much appreciated by Te Vaerua and it has also paddlers digging deep to help the local organisation provide rehabilitation services for those in the community with disabilities caused by illness or accidents.