The story of Thomas
What a wonderfully courageous young man we have in Napier resident, Tom McLean (32). This father of two and husband to Katrina, chose to create some awesome memories for his beautiful family upon receiving his devastating diagnosis.
With a prognosis of only months to live, Tom and his gorgeous crew, headed off in early August for an adventure to the South Island, on route for Invercargill where Tom’s family hail from. Katrina and Tom had their flights to Christchurch and campervan booked before they were referred to Race4Life. Our job was to find them spots to eat and adventures to experience along their well-planned route. Some of the most beautiful spots in the South Island were targeted including, Dunedin, Hamner Springs, West Coast, Queenstown, Fox Glacier and of course Invercargill, where they spent a fair chunk of time reconnecting with family.
Service providers in every area generously donated food, drink, and fun activities for this beautiful family. New World also gifted the McLean Clan with a $500 voucher should eating in, become the best option. Timing was to perfection, with the family arriving home just after the second wave of Covid, demanded Alert Level Restrictions around the country.
A huge thank you so all those businesses, who in the light of our present environment, did not hesitate to host the McLean family.
You all rock!!
A Letter from the General Manager
Hello all
Just when we thought all was back on track, along came the second wave of Covid-19. Our hearts went out to our Patients whom for the second time this year, have had their wishes put on hold. Policy is such, that we do not grant wishes outside of Alert Level One or less, in order to keep all our patients, whom are immune compromised, safe. With a back log of over 30 wishes, we do now have our work cut out for us. Wishes are back on the agenda again with the exception of Auckland (and depending on the government announcement today).
There was huge disappointment surrounding the cancellation of the Race4Life Track Day at Hampton Downs on the 29th September. However we do have some good news for all concerned with a date secured for late March 2021.
Most businesses whom we deal with, have been severely affected by the restrictions imposed by the Alert Levels. However, within the window of time from July to August 14th when we were operating, the response to wishes from service providers was heart-warming. The story of Thomas will reinvigorate your faith in humanity.
Foodstuffs have been simply magic in their response to our request to lift the spirits of our Patients. Their gesture of kindness for 25 of our patients nationwide, is a great read.
Race4Life are pleased to introduce our new Wish Team Leader Mandy Fraser. We are very honoured to have Mandy join the Team, bringing with her a wealth of experience and passion for our cause.
In truth, due to Covid 19, we are in real need of help to survive at the moment. Our three fundraisers scheduled for the latter part of the year; the Targa Rally, the Long Lunch and the Silverfern Rally, have all been cancelled. We welcome donations, introductions and new partnerships to continue with the beautiful work of our organisation.
Please be in touch if you can help. THANK YOU
Race4Life Track Day moves to 2021
Wonderful Memories of 2019 remain with us of the 2019 Race4Life Track Day at Hampton Downs:
In light of the government announcement on September 14, the Trust found ourselves yet again, with our hands tied. With the present Covid environment, we did not think it was feasible or responsible, to hold an event for 500 + people, 80 of which are immune compromised. The safety of our patients, being our top priority, always.
With a great sense of disappointment, the Team decided to cancel the Race4Life Track Day on September 29th. However, on the bright side, we do have a date set for 2021. We encourage you to lock and load Tuesday March 23rd 2021, securely in your diaries!
We look forward to again share this special day with all, and be witness to humanity at its best!
Welcome on Board Mandy Fraser
My name is Mandy Fraser and I am honoured to have recently joined the Race4Life team as Team Leader of the Wish Coordinators. It is such a privilege to be working alongside this passionate group of people who are making a huge difference in the lives of individuals and their families up and down the country.
I live in Milford on the North Shore with my husband Mark, and our beautiful golden retriever, Rocco. I have two adult sons, Ben and Josh, who love to tease me that Rocco has taken their place as our “favourite son”. We will soon be raising a puppy who will go on to train as an assistance dog so I guess it would be fair to say we are “doggy people”!
I love to walk, run and have become addicted to pilates – so much so that I have recently trained to be a Pilates Instructor and teach part time in a Takapuna studio. We are fortunate enough to have a few acres of land north of Auckland and retreat there as often as we can in the weekends to mow lawns, weed and plant. Our dream is to spend more time up there as we grow older, and to share this space with friends, family and the people we love.
Much of my earlier working life was in the non profit sector and after many years developing other skills I have circled back to what I love doing, and where my heart lies. Most recently I was working at Air NZ where I was leading a team of 50 cabin crew. This role enabled me to further grow as a leader and to focus on individual and team wellbeing. I am passionate about supporting people to become the best that they can be, and to lead fulfilling lives that serve themselves and other well. I look forward to sharing this passion with the team at Race4Life, and to learning as much from them as they can from me.
Thank you Foodstuffs
The generosity of Foodstuffs in light of COVID-19 was extraordinary with the big Food chain generously donating 10K in essential boxes, for our patients and their families , whose wishes came to a halt, as a result of LOCKDOWN.
Foodstuffs commitment to helping at risk New Zealanders facing such tough times, was totally commendable. The initiative showed full dedication with an intent, not only to supply food and grocery packages but also to deliver the essential boxes to all those physically and financially vulnerable.
The second wave of Covid -19 has been quite the bitter pill for us all to swallow, needless to say how it has impacted on patients. Our hearts went out to all 25 patients on our waiting list and especially to 37 year old Ainette, who had her wish postponed for the third time.
Simpson Western, who sponsors a monthly WISH, kindly bought gift baskets, grocery packages and flowers for a number of patients. Simpson Western’s generosity has also enabled Race4Life to enhance a previous wish of patient Malesela, and to acknowledge the passing of the husband of one of our devoted volunteers, Donna.
Patient Pauline receives her gift basket from Simpson Western.
Foodstuffs donated 10K worth of essential Boxes during the first LOCKDOWN. $5k of this was spent, distributing these boxes to patients throughout NZ in April. Foodstuffs gifted us the remaining $5k in Food Vouchers. We used these again to send baskets of treats to patients throughout New Zealand during the second wave of Covid-19. Foodstuffs packed all the parcels and organised the delivery to each patient. This involved over 15 supermarkets throughout the country.
How amazing is that!
Here is an article that was published in the Supermarket News:
https://supermarketnews.co.nz/news/gift-of-food-brightens-days-helps-make-dreams-possible/
We do thank Mike Masfen, Super Volunteer, for helping us deliver a few local packages to patients in Auckland.
It is so heart-warming to witness this sort of generosity and kindness amidst the chaos!
Christmas Party
The annual Xmas party will again take place at St Marks Hall in Remuera. We are forever hopeful that despite the cancelling of two Race4Life events this year, that the Xmas Party will fire ahead on all cylinders on December 4th. We would love to think that patients can finally get together to celebrate the end of a year, that has been challenging in ways we never would have thought possible.
Get Involved
It is with considerable relief that we have been able to open the Wish Service again. And in due course the ability to hold wishes in Auckland will become a reality.
As mentioned above, COVID 19 has stymied our ability to fundraise. We would benefit greatly with HELP in many areas. CLICK on the GET INVOLVED link below and you will be taken to our website where all the options are explained in full.
Donate To Our Cause:
In light of the present environment, we are acutely aware of the struggles of so many of our supporters. However if you can spare anything, that could help us with the running costs of the Trust, over this unprecedented time, it would be wonderful. Thank you very much.
If you would like to donate to the Wish Service, or sponsor an individual wish, please click below.
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