Treasured local runner and Acorn donor, Lloyd Christie, passed away on 6 December 2023. Lloyd was heavily involved in athletics for most of his life and was awarded the long service award by Athletics New Zealand.

Lloyd was born in Taranaki and was raised on the family farm in Waikato. He left school at 15 during WWII to train as a motor mechanic. While working in Auckland he met his wife, Kath; they married in 1953 and moved back to Waikato and became sharemilkers.

Seven years later they purchased a farm on Oropi Rd, Tauranga. During their time on the farm, the Tauranga Ramblers Club set up their cross-country course. The club used the land for 32 years before it was later subdivided and sold. Lloyd also served as the president of Athletics Waikato and Bay of Plenty from 2008 - 2009. In addition, he retired after serving as a Justice of the Peace for 36 years.

Lloyd and Kath’s next venture involved industrial and commercial property ownership. These properties were eventually sold, and they began their foray into share market investing.

Over the years the Christies supported many community projects. They donated $128,000 to the building of the athletics track at Tauranga Domain in 2007 and contributed to raising $1.6M in 2016 to refurbish and extend Oropi Hall and Community Centre. They also have a St John ambulance with their names on it- which picked them both up when they each had a fall at home.

Since 2018 Lloyd and Kath have supported the community via the Acorn Foundation including distributions to Waipuna Hospice, Takitimu House, Mockingbird, Tauranga Women’s Refuge and Te Aranui Youth Trust.

Lloyd and Kath also loved golf, badminton and skiing. They have three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2023. Kath is still very much involved in supporting the community however she can.

Before Lloyd’s passing, the Christies donated to emergency response causes, including the Hawkes Bay Community Foundation Hurricane Relief Fund and Relief Aid to support those suffering in Ukraine. In the future, their fund will contribute to a long list of local charities that support many sectors including health, homelessness, sports and youth organisations.