Race4Life Go Around
In 2003, Stewart and Linda Ray took a photograph at Sandown Race Course of their three young boys – Tyler, Callum and Mitch – standing in front of kiwi motorsport legend Greg Murphy’s racing machine. Thirteen years later the
couple took another photo of two of their young men (Tyler and Mitch) standing in front of Murph’s V8 Super Car at Hampton Downs. This happy reunion of men and metal happened courtesy of a Race4Life Wish.
Stewart Ray is 49 years old and married to Linda. Together they have five boys and are grandparents to two grandsons and soon a granddaughter due in April 2017.
After spending a number of years working overseas, Stewart returned to New Zealand in May 2013 for treatment following a brain tumour diagnosis. Determined to live every moment to November 2016 the fullest, it was Stewart’s wish to ride in a V8 Super Car. Greg Murphy put his hand up immediately and found a time to make Stewart’s wish come true at very short notice. (Thanks Murph!) The day was completed with a family meal at Lone Star Hamilton on the way home.
“We all had a fantastic time,” said Linda. “Huge thanks to Viv and Tim from Race4Life, Greg Murphy, Hampton Downs Raceway and Lonestar in Hamilton for making this possible for Stewart. That’s another thing ticked off his bucket list. So again thanks so much. You guys rock!!!”
Greg Murphy says “I’m stoked to have been able to give Stewart a couple of laps and meet the family after such a long period of time. It’s been
an incredibly tough couple of years for the whole family, so it was a privilege to help get another item crossed off Stewart’s list.”
A Message from the General Manager
Christmas is upon us. How did that happen? The year seems to have sped by, however in the process, a good many wishes have been fulfilled.
Stewart Ray was a recipient who had an awesome day at Hampton Downs. Stewart’s wish was to have a ride in a V8 Supercar. His wish came true, and more, when Greg Murphy (Murph) agreed to take him for a spin.
We have had a busy few months with several events. Tony Quinn launched his book Zero to 60 nationwide in August and, together with Paper Plus, Race4Life ran an event at Ellerslie as a fundraiser. In addition, patients were treated to a fabulous day of pampering and inspiration when Mark Inglis spoke to a group of 80 guests at October’s Day to Inspire event.
Message from the General Manager We welcome Alex van Tuyl to the team as Race4Life’s new Wish List coordinator. This new appointment has been made possible by Hick Bros who have contracted Alex to work in the Trust. Mark Fisher from Eighty 4 Recruitment has provided his professional support and expertise, helping the trust advertise and recruit for positions in marketing, communication, fundraising and grant applications.
Our need for premises has been met by Woods, who have so generously offered us office space. The company is expanding its working area and have gifted Race4Life an office. How blessed are we! Thank you so much to Daniel Williams and all the Woods team.
We have one more fundraiser scheduled before the end of the year. 250 of our loyal supporters will gather at the Ellerslie Racecoursefor a fun day at the races on December 11th.
The Race4Life annual event at Hampton Downs is scheduled for Thursday March 28th at Hampton Downs Raceway. Please mark it in your calendar now. It’s a fantastic day and we look forward to seeing you there.
My heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful supporters. Your loyalty and compassion for the work that we do has enabled us to make dreams come true.
This is what it’s all about. A very Merry Christmas to you all!
Viv
“Zero to 60” – a life well lived
More than 80 Race4Life representatives breakfasted at Ellerslie Racecourse in August to hear Hampton Downs owner, entrepreneur and successful businessman Tony Quinn talk about the launch of his new biography. Titled “Zero to 60”, the book is a rollicking read about Tony’s journey from working class Scot to self-made millionaire. “Tony’s story is one of triumph against all odds, and making the most of life – something our Wish List recipients are all too familiar with,” says Viv James. “He has spent his life working closely together with others to make businesses work and his story is very human – full of spectacular successes and disappointing failures. He wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth and his strength, tenacity and spirit has made him
who he is – colourful language and all!”
Many thanks to the event main sponsor, John Graham from Paper Plus, who sold 157 books on the day and contributed a percentage from ticket sales to Race4Life.
A Day to Inspire
In 1982 Mark Inglis lost both legs below the knee to frostbite after surviving 14 days in an ice cave near the peak of Mount Cook. Mark has used this tragedy in his life to truly live every moment. He shared his inspirational and entertaining story, with about 80 representatives at A Day To Inspire, held at the Orakei Bay Convention Centre in October.
Mark’s presentation, titled “Welcome to My World” focused on the understanding that attitude always defines your altitude. “If you don’t have attitude you’ll never get up, you’ll never go there,” said Mark. “So much of it is about turning stumbling blocks in to stepping stones, where we can turn some of our real challenges into positives.”
“The most important thing you can have is a dream,” he said, telling the audience his first dream was to climb Everest, because he sucked as a rugby player and needed to find a safer sport. He was skinny and too small to survive in a ruck, so he decided to follow in the footsteps of a teacher and become a vountaineer. The rest is history, and an inspiring one at that.
Thank you to our fantastic team of volunteers and generous sponsors: Orakei Bay Convention Centre, Eastridge New World, Eastridge Flowers, Edwards Sound, Synthetic technologies and Waiwera Water.
A Special Letter
An email from Carol Thompson, Chubb family
Peter Chubb was our much loved brother. My brothers and I so admired the way he handed his two and half year battle with cancer while remaining independent (he was a bachelor) and trying to live a full life. In December 2015
Peter was told he had weeks to live so he set about to tackle a few small bucket list events, mostly involving us, his family.
Peter’s hospice nurse put his name forward to Race4Life to fulfil a dream of visiting Queenstown and Arrowtown, a place our parents had taken us to in 1971. When Race4Life contacted Peter to tell him to ‘pack his bags’ he didn’t
want to leave any of us behind so we went as a family on the 4th of August 2016 for four nights. It was very exciting!
This priceless gift from the very generous businesses that contributed toward Peter’s costs will never be forgotten. Landing by helicopter on top of a mountain at Milford Sound was breathtaking and surreal. For all of us it was the most treasured experience.
The weekend following our visit, Peter’s health declined rapidly. He went in to Hospice on 21st August and passed away 2nd September.
Race4Life – we are so grateful for what you gave our family. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible.
Kindest Regards
‘TEAM CHUBB’
Ian, Carol. Kevin and our cherished brother Peter (aged 51)
Many thanks to the following generous supporters for fulfilling Peter’s wish:
Claire from Thrifty Car Rentals, Simon from Mercure Resort Queenstown, rent from Distinction Hotel Te Anau, Robert from The Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown, Dave from the Lone Star Queenstown, Lacey from Real Journeys, Jeff from Milford Helicopter, Selina from Fat Duck Cafe Te Anau, and Anna from Skyline Queenstown.
Introducing our new Wish Coordinator
Hi everyone, this is a quick note to introduce myself.
I am the very proud mum of four grown up children who I home-schooled right through to university age. I am now also the proud step mum of two gorgeous adults, one young stepson and two beautiful granddaughters.
As my children grew and were finishing their homeschooling, I decided I needed to do something worthwhile with my time, so I went back to university and earned a Counselling Degree. During this time I volunteered my services at Mercy Hospice There I met the inspirational Viv James and a ‘like-minded’ connection was forged. You can imagine my joy when I was asked to take on a position as Wish Coordinator at the newly formed Race4Life Trust. I have loved every moment so far!
This job is a dream job! I am surrounded by generous and caring people who are eager to help people with life limiting Illnesses enjoy the time left to them, and make memories that they and their loved ones can cherish.
I feel honoured and privileged to be part of the Race 4Life Team.
Thank you!
Alex van Tuyl
Thank You to Our Sponsors for their Support
Mark Fisher is the director of Eighty 4 Recruitment, a company specialising in recruitment and human resource consulting for the engineering, construction, planning, survey and energy sectors. Mark has offered his company services to recruit candidates for two new positions in the trust. We are very grateful for Eighty 4 Recruitment’s loyalty and support to help us secure the best possible candidates. Thank you Mark.
Hick Bros needs no introduction, however they do deserve a great deal of thanks. Mark Cole CEO of Hicks and the chairman of our board, has contracted Alex van Tuyl for one year to work in the Trust and to concentrate on coordinating Wish Lists. Thank you so much Mark and all the team at Hick Bros.
Woods, like Hick Bros, is known to many of you. Daniel Williams, the Managing Director and a member of your board, has considered Race4Life in Woods’ office expansion plan. The new extended office space has an area specifically allocated to the Race4Life Trust. Thank you so much Daniel and the team at Woods.
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