The Blues are teaming up with LEGO New Zealand and Ritchies to bring back the successful Fill The Bus initiative in Auckland this Christmas season after a record-breaking effort in 2024.
Last year, the Blues region came together in extraordinary strength, collecting almost more than double the set goal of 30,000 non-perishable food items and gathering over 500 fans at Blues HQ for a special community day.
Schools, rugby clubs, and businesses across the region played a huge part in helping the Blues and partner charities deliver food parcels to families in need across Auckland and Northland.
Community together
This year, the challenge is on again and schools, rugby clubs, and local businesses across the region are invited to collect food items for the drive.
The campaign will end with a community day event on 4 December at Blues HQ, featuring an open pre-season training session, player meet-and-greets, fun activations, and of course, the filling of the Blues Bus.
Blues Community and Fan Engagement Manager Harry Sanders said last year’s incredible response showed the true heart of the Blues region. “We were blown away by how our community rallied behind Fill The Bus last year.”
“Seeing us smash our goal of 30,000 food items reminded us why we do this. And once again, a big shout-out to Ritchies for donating the bus and driver for the collection day as a vital part of keeping this initiative on the road.”
Ritchies Director of Operations, Sean Hayes, says the business is proud to support annual fill the bus collections every year. “Our drivers and team members are all part of communities and it’s important to us to support these communities whenever and wherever we can”.
Watch our video below to see the amazing generosity last year.
See how our Dunedin terms are supporting Stock the Bus in the southern city.
For a full list of collection points across the Blues region and information about the community day on 4 December, visit www.blues.rugby/fill-the-bus. For those unable to donate food, an online donation option is available.
