Club representatives gathered at the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Lifesaving Club to present cheques to the surf club, the Tea Gardens Pindimar Rural Fire Service and the North Arm Cove Rural Fire Service.

The success of the raffle, gate takings, chocolate wheel and the support of local businesses meant an enormous amount was raised by the club during its sixth year.

“The club is proud to have achieved such an outstanding result,” motor club public officer Juergen Seil said.

This year was the biggest Motorfest yet with the event drawing approximately 2500 visitors into the town.

“Local businesses were delighted with the visitors staying the Friday and Saturday night and making it a whole weekend in Tea Gardens Hawks Nest,” Mr Seil said.

In a small ceremony president John Sharp presented the cheques to surf club representative Debbie Booth, North Arm Cove Rural Fire Service captain Neil Cook and Tea Gardens Pindimar Rural Fire Service captain Steve Carmichael.

When presenting the cheques Mr Sharp highlighted the work the organisations do around the area emphasising that all members of the surf club and fire service were volunteers.

“Whatever we can do to help is a small token of our appreciation,” Mr Sharp said.

The surf club will use the funds to replace surf rescue equipment and radios.

“It is for all the general run-of-the-mill things,” Ms Booth said.

The importance of communication and radio equipment will also be a focus for the Tea Gardens Pindimar Rural Fire Service with funding being used to obtain portable radios that will contact fire control in Forster.

Currently the only radios that contact fire control are held in the truck.

“It is a basic update of our communications so they work with a better range,” Mr Carmichael said.

The Motorfest started with a small group of locals who had an interest in cars and bikes. It has now developed into a recognised event that raises funds for the local community.