Wendy’s Epic Ride For Charity
Scootering Southland NZ For A Great Cause
Wendy White, Yamaha Motor New Zealand’s Dealer Support Parts & Accessories specialist, recently took part in the annual PlaceMakers Southern Scooter Challenge, a 220-kilometre fun-filled scooter endurance ride across New Zealand’s South Island from Bluff to Frankton.
The one-day event, set against New Zealand’s stunning South Island backdrop, isn’t just about scooters or scenic landscapes—it’s about raising vital funds for charity. The 2024 event supported Hospice Southland to assist them with continuing its free-of-charge specialist palliative care to those with a life-limiting illness, ideally in the setting of their choice.
Wendy’s participation in the eighth edition of the biennial event came about almost by accident. “Jamie Croton the Dealer Principal at Rogers Yamaha in Invercargill, sent me an email asking if Yamaha Motor New Zealand could assist with prize donations,” Wendy explained. What began as a request for donations soon became an adventure of a lifetime. “My manager, Mark Hutchinson, suggested I participate in the event. I realised it was a great opportunity as I had never been to New Zealand’s South Island. It was also for a couple of great causes, so how could I say no?” Despite initial reservations about the unpredictable South Island weather, Wendy geared up to ride.
I was doing better than the guy whose heated grips started to melt
220 Kilometres for Charity
The PlaceMakers Southern Scooter Challenge isn’t your average ride. Participants tackle 220 kilometres of road, from Stirling Point in Bluff—the southernmost point of New Zealand’s South Island —to Frankton, just outside Queenstown. The event raises money for local charities, with a minimum fundraising requirement of $100 per rider. Scooters involved in the challenge are capped at 50cc, and although riders must endure both the physical demands of the journey and the limited speed of their rides, the 150 place fill quickly.
Wendy was part of a three-rider team assembled by Rogers Yamaha in Invercargill. While teammates Jamie Croton, and Tyler Stuart were riding Yamaha CV50 JOGs, Wendy's ride was a 1996 Yamaha Aprio JOG, lightly modified with a rear mudflap and a screen for extra protection against the elements. Jamie was also team captain, and went above and beyond to ensure everything was set for Wendy’s journey, even arranging the scooter and providing a support crew with food, encouragement, and plenty of laughter. “Jamie arranged everything for me,” Wendy said. “It was fantastic.
The 2024 event raised over $103,000. Wendy and her team contributed $2,337 to the overall total, a testament to the generous support of Yamaha Motor New Zealand staff, family, and friends. Since its launch in 2010, the PlaceMakers Foundation has raised more than $1.9 million for causes across New Zealand, from supporting local charities to larger community projects.
The Challenge Begins
On the morning of the ride, Wendy’s initial concerns about the weather were proven right. “It was cold, wet, and blowing a gale out at Bluff,” she recalled. The conditions were so severe that event organisers decided to delay the start and relocate it to Invercargill, 20 minutes away. However, with their support vehicle already en route, Wendy and her team faced an unexpected dilemma—they appeared stranded. “Luckily, one of our Yamaha dealers, Paul Smith from Agricenter South, generously offered to help,” Wendy recounted. With the scooters squeezed onto his trailer, the group quickly made their way to the new starting point in Invercargill, the home of Burt Munro and the World's Fastest Indian.
Once the ride officially began, the participants were treated to a police escort out of Invercargill. However, the weather remained uncooperative. Heavy rain followed the riders to their first stop in Winton. Despite attempts by their support crew (Aka Jamie and Tyler’s wives) to dry out their wet gloves and helmets over a fireplace, the 30-minute break wasn’t enough to shake off the cold. “Everything was still very soggy when we departed,” Wendy laughed.
Things didn’t improve much when they reached Lumsden, their next stop. While there was brief hope when a patch of blue sky appeared, the rain soon returned in full force. To make matters worse, Wendy’s scooter had refused to proceed along the route. Fortunately, the support crew quickly swung into action, transporting the scooter to Kingston, where it was repaired. Wendy remained upbeat despite the setback, noting that things could have been worse. “I was doing better than the guy whose heated grips just got hotter and hotter until they started to melt,” she joked.
Sunshine at Last
As the group headed toward the final leg of the journey to Frankton, the sun finally appeared, transforming the last stretch of the ride into a sun-soaked, scenic adventure. Wendy and the other riders basked in the glorious weather, relishing the beauty of the South Island’s mountainous landscape.
At the finish line, the riders were greeted with an array of prizes, many of which had been donated by Yamaha Motor New Zealand. These included clothing, merchandise, and a host of other goodies awarded to the team that raised the most money. There were also prizes for best-dressed riders, with one group standing out for doing the entire ride dressed as Donald Trump. Others included Shrek and Fiona, and an M&M team.
Despite the initial cold and wet conditions, Wendy thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “The Southland hospitality is next level,” she said. “Everyone was keen to pitch in and help, and I was so well looked after by everyone from the time I stepped off the plane until it was time to leave.”
The camaraderie, adventure, and the cause all made for an unforgettable experience. Wendy was grateful for the opportunity and encouraged others to take on challenges like the PlaceMakers Southern Scooter Challenge. “I was so grateful to all the staff, family, and friends that supported me in this challenge because it’s not for the faint-hearted,” Wendy said. “If anyone has the opportunity to take on a challenge like this, just do it. This one was for a good cause, delivered lots of laughs, and I met a bunch of awesome people along the way, making some great memories in the process.”
