The Te Anau community is set to further benefit following Kepler Challenge Trust's decision to allocate additional funds, on top of their usual annual grants to the town.

Three local schools will benefit from these funds, to cover additional costs after the 2019 floods and subsequent Covid pandemic left the town and its families reeling.

Kepler Challenge's annual Charity Challenge funds totaling over $25,000 have also been distributed to Fiordland Climbing Wall, Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum, Spirited Women of Te Anau, Fiordland Arts Society, Te Anau Pony Club and the Te Anau Bowling Club.

“This is a community run event and we are extremely proud to assist local schools and these community groups” says stalwart committee and trust board member Steve Norris.

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Each year the Kepler Challenge opens 25 spaces early as part of a ‘Charity Challenge’. Entrants pay $1000.00 for a place at the starting line and have guaranteed entry for the day, with 100% of their entry fee being distributed back to the Te Anau community.

The Kepler Challenge Trust has also decide to purchase a new portacom which will not only provide organisers with a warm dry base for their race headquarters, but will also advertise the region and be able to be used by other events and businesses.