But with steady demands on its donor dollar the gazebo was on the back-burner . . . until now. Members of the former Poverty Bay Kennel Association have recently donated $5000 and say they are stoked it will be used to fund the purchase.

PBKA secretary Cheryl Clarke says falling entries at championship dog shows in recent years led to the decision to wind up the association and to donate its remaining funds to charity.

“Dog owners that did come to our shows loved their experience here but events are expensive to run and it was not something we could sustain forever,” she says.

“So the five remaining committee members decided it was time to call it a day and though the winding-up won’t be concluded until November, we had this bit of money left that we wanted to go to a good cause.”

Not only was the decision to donate to EHRT a unanimous one, it was the first thought of every one of the committee members, Cheryl says.

“Our fellow dog groups seem to be doing okay so we wanted to support something that benefits the entire community.

“We’ve all travelled a lot going to dog shows – one member even used to drive ministock cars – so we’ve always been conscious that something could go wrong at any time.

“If it does, you might need the wonderful support of a rescue helicopter so choosing the service to donate to was a no-brainer for us all.”

EHRT chair Ian Parker says donations like that from the Kennel Association are critical to the operation of the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter.

“Fundraising is an ongoing obligation and commitment so we’re thrilled the association thought of us when considering its charitable giving,” he says.

“It has enabled us to purchase a piece of infrastructure that will be used by the trust and the team for years, and we could not be more grateful.”

Meanwhile, though PBKA is no longer operating, Cheryl says local dog owners can still be involved through Dogs New Zealand (formerly the NZ Kennel Club).

While she will herself continue with her interest in Bullmastiffs as a Life Member of the Dominion Bullmastiff Club, she no longer has the breed having lost her last big girl, Grizz, towards the end of 2024.

She does, however, still have dogs at home, albeit ones that are lighter than the Bullmastiff weight of up to 60 kilograms.

One is Louis, the “massively energetic” two-year-old Belgian Shepherd she rescued after his breeder had to retire for health reasons.

And the latest addition to Cheryl and husband Steve’s Hexton household is red brindle Greyhound, Big Time Seattle (5), rehomed after her retirement from racing.

Her adoption has ignited a new passion in Cheryl who, as well organising monthly walks for other local Greyhounds (and their owners), has become a powerful advocate for the breed.

With government plans to ban Greyhound racing by July 2026, she believes there could be up to 3000 dogs up for adoption and is keen to support that.

“The walks are a way for them to see other members of their own breed, which I think they miss after having been brought up in Greyhound kennels,” says Cheryl.

“Seattle is a lovely girl and has been an introduction to an amazing breed . . . she’s opened up a whole new world.”

CAPTION: A NEW BEGINNING: The winding up of Poverty Bay Kennel Association led to a $5000 donation for the lifesaving work of the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust and now former PBKA secretary Cheryl Clarke – pictured with Seattle — is advocating for rescue of a different kind . . . Greyhounds from the racing industry that need new homes.