The Wish4Fish charity in Tauranga is launching a new community group fund powered by the Acorn Foundation, and the public is being called upon to lend support and celebrate.

A night of fundraising and celebration will be held at Tauranga’s Cargo Shed on March 6 from 5.30pm to mark the launch of the Wish4Fish community group fund.

The community group fund is being established to secure the longevity of Wish4Fish’s mission, with the aim of providing a reliable source of ongoing income to support the organisation’s operations, including its two main assets — its boat (MV Wish4Fish) and its berth at Tauranga Bridge Marina.

The boat is a nationally iconic vessel, custom-made to cater to New Zealand’s disability community, and was the brainchild of Tauranga tetraplegic Bryce Dinneen (MNZM).

Dinneen is also the Wish4Fish founder and chairman.

“We help individuals with health and wellbeing limitations get out on the water and enjoy the freedom and pleasure of our ocean waters,” Dinneen said.

The aim is “to provide magic moments and lifelong memories” for more than 2000 beneficiaries per year, but ongoing fundraising is required to make that happen.

Acorn Foundation’s Matty Nicholson said a community group fund was a brilliant way for a charity to build a lasting, reliable income stream.

He said people could donate to the fund at any time, or even leave a gift in their will, and those donations were invested to grow over time.

“A portion of the returns are paid out to Wish4Fish annually, and a portion reinvested, so the fund keeps growing in size and generating reliable income year after year. It’s a gift that truly keeps giving, and we can’t wait to see it grow alongside this great organisation,” Nicholson said.

The March 6 event will include a selection of food and beverages, updates from the Wish4Fish charity team, live auctions, giveaways and raffles.

There will be a cash bar, plus gourmet burgers courtesy of the Wish4Fish BBQ trailer.

Tickets are $95 per person, with round tables for 10 available for $950 per table.

Dinneen said it may be the perfect way to host clients, work colleagues, family and friends.

The call is out for businesses or individuals to sponsor a table on the night at a cost of $400 per table.

“The night will include updates on what our team has been able to achieve so far, along with acknowledgment of supporters, sponsors and community funders. Without these people, our mission would be impossible,” Dinneen said.

There will also be the opportunity to join the 500 Club - an annual donation of $500 sponsors two Wish4Fish clients and their support network to an incredible experience out on the ocean. Those joining the 500 Club on the night of the event will be entered into a draw to win the total Wish4Fish experience for two.

Dinneen, a keen fisherman, became a tetraplegic in January 2007 after a shallow water diving accident.

Years of striving to make the Wish4Fish boat dream a reality were spurred by his desire to “share the super amazing, healing properties of being out on the water with those who have challenges in their lives, whether it be physical, mental, emotional or financial”.

“The benefits from our trips go beyond a day out on the water. It provides our charity’s beneficiaries the sense of what can be achieved despite some of the most difficult circumstances they experience,” he said.

The Wish4Fish boat was designed with wheelchair users in mind, it has an accessible bathroom, on board wheelchair lift, ample indoor space and a specially designed loading system.

Last year, more than 1600 Wish4Fish clients enjoyed a day out on the water. The demand is huge, Dinneen said.

A northern tour is planned for next summer and will include The Coromandel, Auckland and Northland.

“For now, we have our incredible people/clients from the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Central North Island to support over the next few months,” Dinneen said.