Message from the General Manager
2017 has arrived with a hiss and a roar and the Race4Life Trust is steering
ahead at full speed. We welcome with open arms our new Marketing and Fundraising Manager, Lisa McLaren and her assistant Sam van Tuyl. Together
the girls have already embraced the challenges they have in front of them, to help create and sustain a vibrant Trust.
We also welcome Sarah Caunter, who has kindly donated her services to the Trust Board, to fill the position of Secretary. The Wish Service is growing steadily and we are fulfilling all types of wishes
from all over the country, some of which are shared with you in this edition
of our newsletter.
The 10th Anniversary of the Race4Life event at Hampton Downs was again a stunning occasion. We had 60 patients from as far North as Wellsford to Hamilton in the south, join us for this extraordinary day. Greg Murphy and Mad Mike were our special guests this year, and treated our lucky raffle winners to Hot Laps around the track at lunchtime. This special day never fails to be sensational and it is certainly one of a million smiles.
In 2017, we look forward to a year of growth and providing opportunities for people all over New Zealand to have their dreams come true. Later in the year we will again hold our annual DAY TO INSPIRE , when we again gather together patients from the greater Auckland area for a luncheon, and a chance to listen to an inspirational speaker.
We do encourage you to make a copy or two of this newsletter. Leave these in your staffroom and in and around your offices. We would love to spread the work of our Trust and to let others know about the fabulous support we receive.
To continue to do what we do, we do need your help. Please do consider donating to this wonderful cause using the donation form at the back of this newsletter. Every little bit helps and in truth makes a dream come true.
Thank you very much
10th Annual Track Day 
Earlier this year I had the honour of attending the 10th annual Race4Life Track Day at Hampton Downs. It was my second year and, after experiencing a pretty amazing day the year before, didn’t think it could get much better. But it could, and it did. This year Viv James and her team of countless volunteers pulled out all stops to give 60 New Zealanders living with life-limiting illnesses a great day out. The effort wasn’t unusual, as the needle on Viv’s personal speedometer is often twice the average person’s cruising rate! What changed was my increased
appreciation of the many volunteers and sponsors who, some for the 10th year in a row, gave their time, energy and resources to make the day a roaring success.
Race4Life Track Day is run like a well-built and maintained machine. Every element – cars, ‘copter, trucks, motorbikes, volunteers, helmets, safety gear, food, shelters, signs, tee-shirts, consent forms and what have you – arrived at their allocated place on time. Safety was paramount with several briefings held during the day to refresh new drivers and procedures followed to the ‘dot’. Plus there was an endless supply of food from BBQ breakfast butties
to morning snacks, lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
The full itinerary from 8am to 4pm included time for briefings, registrations, multiple rides and a yummy lunch complete with c
elebratory speeches and chocolate cake. Several visitors told me they didn’t know if they were going to make it as they hadn’t been feeling well leading up to the event, but once there didn’t have time to feel crook. The Race4Life support crew gave it everything they had and the appreciation from visitors was evident.
“The way the whole day was executed was unbelievable,” said Di Wong from Whangaparoa. “I was on cloud nine and got to go in a helicopter, a race car and – the icing on the cake – a motorbike which I absolutely loved. I even kissed the rider, Dion, on the back of his neck as a thank you at the end. I was so excited.”
“My 11-year old granddaughter saw a video that included that moment later and asked ‘has Poppa seen this video? Do you think it was a good idea to kiss another man?’ I assured her he was about the same age as her uncle, and one of many volunteers who put a big smile on my face.”
“It was so nice to be with people who showed the positive side of life versus the bad,” said Di, who has since been treated to a Race4Life Wish experience in the South Island. “I’m a very, very lucky old tart.”
Di’s daughter Kim, who accompanied her mum to Track Day was also blown away. “Viv and her wonderful team gave so much of themselves it was humbling,” said Kim, adding that she’s so pleased she attended after her father gave away going to what they all initially thought was 10-kilometre running event. a “We had a superb time and the experience made me want to be a better person.”
The 10th anniversary Track Day dawned after days of torrential rain and flooding in the region, but the Race4Life support crew turned up anyway, some driving for hours to get there in time to prepare and greet their visitors. Mother Nature came through, providing overcast but dry conditions for the event, and so did the crew. Closed roads and detours meant nothing for this lot; they just carried on and put on a fantastic day. I guess that’s the thing – Race4Life recognizes and celebrates adult New Zealanders dealing with closed roads and detours every day. Turning up and coming together in March showed us that together we can get there and make good things happen.
Paula Jackson (Media, Race4Life Trust)
Welcome to New Staff
Sarah Caunter
Board Secretary
Race4LIfe Trust
Hi Everyone
Just taking this opportunity to introduce myself. I am the General Manager of
Human Resources for a large burger chain, I’ll let you work out which one!
We employ over 2,600 people so this keeps me nice and busy! I also have
three children pretty much grown-ups now; 24, 22 and 19, two boys one girl
and I live on the gorgeous North Shore of Auckland having relocated to New
Zealand from the UK 15 years ago.
I met first met Viv at the North Harbour Rotary club in late 2016 and again at
the Race4Life Charity Race Day in December last year. I was hugely
impressed with the way that Race4Life brings sheer joy to its clients. I kept a
copy of the newsletter and saw the note about needing a Board Secretary.
While not having ever been an actual secretary, I figured that I can type
pretty fast, I’m well organised and am very used to getting documents out
on time given my 25 plus years in Human Resources!
I’m looking forward to meeting and, working with you all.
Lisa McLaren
Race4Life Marketing & Fundraiser
Race4Life Trust
Hi, I’m Lisa – Race4Life Trust’s new Marketing & Fundraising Manager.
I’m very excited to be joining the team at such an exciting time in the
Trust’s journey. I will be responsible for securing funding, developing and
implementing marketing and fundraising strategies to help us continue to
grow, and provide greater assistance to people living with terminal illness
and their families.
I’ve always had a philanthropic nature, volunteering since I was a child in the
community. I can remember taking part in my first fundraiser in my early
teens, British Telecom’s Swimathon to support Marie Curie Cancer Cure. My passion for fundraising has not stopped since then!
Over the last ten years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of wonderful non-profit organisations and community groups from the UK to Brazil to here in New Zealand. Race4Life is no exception and I’m thrilled to be able to contribute to such an awesome cause.
Originally from the UK, my husband and I traded Brighton’s pebbly beach for the rugged sandy beaches and bush on the west coast of Auckland. On weekends, we can usually be found at our local (special) beach with
our gorgeous two little boys.
Lisa holds a Fundraising Management Diploma from the Fundraising Institute Australia and is currently studying towards CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) international accreditation.
Sam Van Tuyl
Marketing & Fundraising Assistant
Race4Life Trust
Hey Team,
Just a quick note to say hi to everyone and introduce myself.
I am the proudest mummy of a 15-month old daughter who absolutely lights
up my life. Raising a daughter solely definitely has its challenges, but I am
incredibly grateful to my family and friends who have lent more than a
helping hand along the way.
Over the years I have had the pleasure to work alongside Race4life as a
volunteer. I have always had a passion for helping people and, never shy to lend a hand, absolutely jumped at the opportunity when this position became available.
My role here at R4L ticks all the boxes for me. It is a mix of creative and practical challenges with the sole outcome of giving people love, hope and support,
I couldn’t be happier to be part of the Race4Life team.
Thanks for having me!
R4L Does Auckland Marathon
Join the Race4Life Team in Auckland’s largest race ever!
We are joining thousands of athletes taking part in ASB Auckland Marathon on 29th October 2017 to raise awareness and well-needed funds to support race4Life Trust’s work fulfilling the wishes of patients with lifelimiting illnesses throughout New Zealand.
We are looking for amazing supporters like you, to join our Race4Life Team, and hit the Auckland streets in trainers instead of wheel on the race-track!
We will support you every step of the way to achieve your very own bucket-list goals to run either the full Marathon, Half-Marathon, 12K Traverse or 5K Fun-run. The distance is entirely up to you – everybody can take part no matter what your fitness level – and become a Race4Life Champion.
Join the Race4Life Team today in two easy steps:
1. Register for the Auckland Marathon at www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz
2. Join our Race4Life Team fundraising at www.everydayhero.com
We will be in touch with everything you need to know about this upcoming event, our awesome Race4Life Team, and training tips, plus help you get started with your fundraising. Make 2017 YOUR year to race for life!
Thank you for your support. All funds raised will support the Trust to fulfill the wishes of palliative care patients throughout New Zealand.
Special Wish Stories
Brian Ivey is a delightful 75 year old gentleman from Hamilton
who has a grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour. As a youngster Brian
loved his time spent with horses and this passion has remained with
him all his life. Brian’s special wish was to spend some time with some
horses before he dies.
Brian travelled down to Windsor Park Stud in Hamilton in mid-March,
where Gina from Event Stars
Stables met him. Being a racehorse
enthusiast he enjoyed watching the racehorses work, and was thrilled
to have a special tour of the stables, provided by Gina, and meet some
of the stallions and foals. Brian’s morning finished with a lunch gifted
to him and his wife Ruth, by Abbey at Lily Pad Café in Hamilton. Such a
simple wish and so very much appreciated.
Aroha Andrews is a 34 years old young woman with 4 young children.
Aroha’s special request was to spend a weekend with her family in Rotorua, so
that all her children would have cherished memories of having fun, as a
family.
The Andrews, arrived in Rotorua in early February and were special guests of
the Millennium hotel, with manager Michele Weston providing three rooms
for the family. Francisca from The Polynesian Spa, Amelia from Amaze Me,
and Cheyenne from Rainbow Springs all provided Family Passes. Rachel from Skyline Rotorua provided the family with free luge rides, a ride in the gondola and dinner at the Skyline Stratosfare Restaurant, on the Saturday evening of their stay. Meals at Capers Epicurean Restaurant and the Lone Star Rotorua provided the icing on the cake. What a wonderful weekend for a very grateful family.
The support given to the Race4Life Trust by the Rotorua community is amazing. Thank you very much.
What an awesome thrill it was for 19-year-old Sadiah Ali to come to Auckland for the Justin Bieber concert. As much as Sadiah has wanted to grow up as a normal teenager, ill health has robbed her of the chance to do so. However, when she approached the Race4Life Trust with her special request, we made sure that this would be a weekend she would never forget.
Together with her mother Rukshana, Sadiah packed a great deal of fun into her weekend. The pair dined at Up Café, Kokako Café, St Helier’s Café and White and Wongs. On the evening of the concert, Ange from Ripe Deli provided a special meal, they could take to the concert. On the Saturday afternoon, they were pampered by Nail therapists from Premiere School of Education and hairdresser Louise Pilkington, after visiting Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World.
Needless to say, Sadiah had the time of her life at the concert. Although a very late night, there was no stopping Sadiah squeezing in a short shopping exertion to Sylvia Park on Sunday morning. Plenty of time she figured, before her flight home to Palmerston North. Transport was provided by Continental Cars and Gillian Stobo, their personal chauffeur, who did a splendid job, far beyond any call of duty. Thank you, Auckland!!
Yoke Yue King has lung cancer, which has spread to her bones and has seriously impaired her mobility. Due to her love of nature and adventure, Yoke contacted Race4life with her wish to do something rather special with her children while she can. Race4life arranged for Yoke, son Damien and daughter Tereece, to travel to White Island. In fulfilling Yoke’s wish, the family took in some beautiful bush walks, experienced a rail voyage with Awakeri Rail Adventures, and to top it all off, embraced the awe and beauty of White Island, with a helicopter ride provided by Frontier Helicopters.
Whilst in transit they were gifted lunch at the Deckchair Café in Mt Maunganui. On arrival in whakatane they stayed at the Pacific Coast Motor Lodge.
They were special guests for meals at Skippers Restaurant, the Whakatane
Sport Fishing Club, Julian’s Berry Farm and Café and the salubrious Soulsa
Restaurant. The community of Whakatane are simply amazing!!
Coromandel Community Magic 
When a wish is granted to a lucky Race4Life recipient, a little bit of magic happens. Each one takes time, careful planning and involves just a handful or many people, businesses and organisations depending on its complexity. In most cases, each Wish is put together by Viv James, and lately our new race4Life Wish Coordinator Alex van Tuyl. A few months ago, however, one particular Wish took on a life of its own.
When Damion 50-year old (Chuck) Matene contacted Race4Life, he wished to create a special memory after
being diagnosed with terminal cancer. When pressed, Chuck said if he could do anything it would be for he and his family to experience a scenic rail trip and to
go fishing one last time. Chuck, his wife Denise have six children and lead a modest life, but have always made time to fish together, until Chuck got sick.
The Race4Life team swung in to action and decided Coromandel could offer it all – a train, fishing and time together not too far away from home. Fullers
generously gifted the family of seven a return ferry trip and two night’s accommodation was offered at the “Top of the Hill” Bach owned by Nikki stephenson and Rob Davies. From then on it was easy: The Coromandel Township community just came on board like a flash, and Wish planning took off.
Nikki made some suggestions, a few calls and the next thing Coromandel
Fishing Charters offered to treat the family to one last fishing adventure together, Driving Creek Railway and The Waterworks offered free access, they
had a coordinating chauffeur (Michael from Discovery Coromandel), free meals and even a birthday treat for 15-year old Kyle.
At the end of February 2017 Chuck and his family spent three days together in the gorgeous Coromandel township and surrounds. Chuck had spent the previous week hospitalised but was encouraged to go on the trip – now or never. They had a wonderful time, documented in print by the local Coromandel Town Chronicle as well as Fishing and Outdoors, a specialist publication contacted by Tom at the fishing charter company. Graham the editor even put together a video of the experience for the family to keep.
The Coromandel community really did wave its magic wand with ideas, support, coordination and the most amazing local generosity. In turn we understand Chuck and his whanau touched everyone they came in to contact with, evidenced by numerous posts on the Race4Life Facebook page, emails and calls following their visit.
Chuck Matene passed away in March, but his presence in Coromandel lives on. It’s not just the memory of Chuck that remains, but also the way the community came together to support a family celebrating life with a husband and father. When Race4Life grants a Wish it’s not just the recipient who benefits. With a touch of Coromandel magic, Chuck’s wish touched us all.
Race4Life sincerely appreciates and thanks the following for delivering Chuck’s Wish: Nikki Stephenson and Rob Davies, Fullers, Driving Creek Railway, Coromandel Fishing Charters, Fishing and Outdoors, Salty Towers, Coro Pies, Success Café, The Top Pub, Admiral Arms Hotel, Coromandel Four Square, The Waterworks and Coromandel Discovery.
Thank you to Z Energy
A huge THANK YOU goes to Chris Jarvis and the team from Z Energy, who presented the Race4Life Trust with a cheque for over $4000 at Christmas time Z Energy have supported the Race4Life event at Hampton Downs for over six years now. This additional and very generous gesture is so gratefully appreciated and is a wonderful endorsement of the work we do.
Thank you Z Energy
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