The inaugural Southern Grilles and Gasoline Car and Bike Show, held at the Collegiate Rugby Club grounds, drew a big crowd of people keen to see a line-up of cars ranging from vintage through to modern classics.
While just over 100 cars were registered to attend, on the day more than 300 graced the field, leaving the organisers, the Southland Chevrolet Club, "really amazed", club president Jason Pope said.
The club wanted to have a show and "make it about the community, so every make and model has been invited — British, European, Japanese, the whole lot. The club is not making a cent out of it — 100% of profits go to St John’s," Mr Pope said.
A St John spokeswoman said the organisation was elated the club had offered to help out.
It was not all about the cars on the day, a variety of live music, dancing and stalls also proving to be a huge drawcard.
There were also a variety of raffles and other competitions to raise funds on the day, various community organisations having donated prizes to give away.
Mr Pope said the club had not been aiming at a particular fundraising target.
The choice of St John as the recipient was an easy one for the club, he said.
"They’re the right people and they do the right job. They’re not funded enough by the Government. They support us on the roads, they support us at racetracks, drag strips and motor racing. It’s just the right club at the right time," Mr Pope said.
All Southland car clubs were invited to attend the event, Mr Pope said. People in town for this week’s Burt Munro Challenge also attended the event.
Mr Pope said the club aimed to make it an annual event.
