Break from the Quake saw many West Coast businesses, including Beachfront Hotel, offer free accommodation, meals, discounts and other offers to up about 1000 families who had suffered genuine hardship.

Following on from the success of Break from the Quake, Beachfront Hotel organised its own campaign – for the hardest working in the hardest hit area of the Canterbury foothills. Around 20 firefighters from the Darfield, Kirwee and Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigades were treated to complimentary accommodation and breakfasts for two nights and toured local sights. On the Saturday morning, the volunteers started with a visit to a local working gold mine and then a heritage park overlooking the sea. They enjoyed a BBQ dinner with the Hokitika Volunteer Fire Brigade and capped the night off with festivities at the annual Ross Fireworks show. Sunday morning saw a group of tired but refreshed firefighters head back over the hill.

Leanne Holland, Food & Beverage Manager at the hotel says “They thoroughly enjoyed the weekend from start to finish and were overwhelmed by the generosity shown.” Leanne also specifically thanks Hokitika New World, Westmeat and Monteith’s Brewery for their support in making the weekend a success.