LEGO FILL THE BUS RETURNS FOR 2025

The Blues are teaming up with LEGO New Zealand to bring back the successful Fill The Bus initiative 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.

This year, the challenge is on again and we’re aiming to go even bigger. The Blues are calling on their community to Fill The Bus with non-perishable food items to help build something bigger for our communities this Christmas, together with LEGO New Zealand.

From 4 November, schools, rugby clubs, and local businesses across the region are invited to collect food items for the drive.

The campaign will culminate in 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 LEGO Blues Bus.

Following the event, donations will once again be distributed by four trusted community partners - The Village Community Trust (West Auckland), South Seas (South Auckland) Love Soup (Hibiscus Coast) and Whakaora Kai (Northland), ensuring support reaches families right across the Blues region.

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,” he said.

“Seeing us smash our goal of 30,000 food items by coming together and seeing the smiles on families’ faces reminded us why we do this. This year, we want to push even further with more schools, more clubs, more businesses, and more impact by raising 50,000 items.”

“The need is still there, and if we can use the Blues platform to help even one more family this Christmas, that’s a win for us all.”

Major partner Barfoot & Thompson, who once again are mobilising their 45 branches across Auckland and Northland, are proud to continue their support.

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.

Schools and rugby clubs will again play a key role, with collection points operating throughout November.

The Blues will also be visiting selected schools to thank students and help drive some healthy competition between participating kura.

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, with all funds supporting our four partner charities.

To celebrate the incredible community support, we will be hosting a LEGO Fill The Blues Bus Event Day at Blues HQ on Wednesday 4 December from 8.45am - 12.30pm.

You’re invited to drop off your donations plus attend an open pre-season training session and connect with Blues players through various activities and activations.  

2024 Fill The Bus at a glance

·        50,000+ food items donated

·        500+ attendees at Blues HQ community day

·        20 schools engaged (15 visited)

·        3 rugby clubs, 6 supermarkets involved

·        46 Blues players (Men & nib Blues Women) volunteering

·        45 Barfoot & Thompson branches participating

·        17 community activations delivered