Mongoose backs Avatea

Members of the Avatiu-Nikao Mongoose golden oldies club dug around in the pockets of their old footy shorts to show their support for students at Avatea Primary School.

The group, well known for supporting community projects and initiatives including youth development programmes, presented a $100 cheque to Avatea principal Nga Charlie as a small token of their appreciation to the school and to help Apii Avatea get back on its feet after a block of classrooms and its library were destroyed by fire.

As the Mongoose club is based in Nikao near Avatea School, the sports club at times uses the school’s field for their touch rugby games and other sporting activities.

The school has over the years benefitted from a number of Mongoose projects geared towards youth development.

The cheque from the club was both a token of appreciation for the use of the school field and to help support the school as it rises from the ashes.

“There are a lot of Mongoose members and their wives who have attended Avatea in the past and now have children and grand-children attending Avatea and it’s only fitting that something was put towards the school,” says Mongoose chairman George George, pictured centre presenting the group’s donation to Charlie.

“When it comes to supporting school kids – it’s something where the Mongoose club will always step up and help out especially in these times of need, for funds to get the school back on her feet again.”