HAVING lost a loved one to bowel cancer, a Whakatane family’s decision to participate in the “Move Your Butt” campaign was an easy one.
Harina Warbrick, a beloved wife, mother, aunty, sister, cousin, nana and friend, lost her almost four-year battle with bowel cancer in March.
Her husband, Keld Hunia, wanted to do something to remember her and also raise funds and awareness for the cancer that takes 3000 lives in New Zealand every year.
“We lost an incredible lady. This is our way of giving back doing something to raise awareness around bowel cancer.”
The family initially decided on a fund-raising challenge that involved than walking the equivalent of the length of New Zealand – 3000 kilometres.
That goal has since doubled and they’re hoping to raise $50,000, with fundraising now at $9000.
“We’ve already walked 1880 kilometres so far and we thought we may as well walk back to the top of the country when we reach the 3000km mark, so 6000km is now the target,” Mr Hunia said.
They are not actually walking the length of the country but walking the equivalent kilometres on roads, up hills, around tracks, up and down the beaches, on treadmills, along riverbanks and anywhere else they can get a good walk in the Eastern Bay.
“We have had a good following so far. I think about 70 of us from here are doing the walk or run, while more than 200 people have either supported us by donating, joining in, sponsoring someone or helping promote us and we’re incredibly thankful for that and hope a few more might either donate or help take part in some capacity.”
Mr Hunia said lockdown had also inspired them to take on a challenge like this as they were all comparing and bragging about how far they had walked.
“They really helped and it has made us challenge each other and get out there and do some walking.”
Mr Hunia said Awakeri School had jumped on board to help fundraise and get the mileage up.
“They going to sign up every pupil who does the school cross country and record how far they have done and make them bring a gold coin donation as well.
“It’s fabulous having them do that, while a kura kaupapa school in Tolaga Bay have said they will also log their pupils doing the cross country and try raise some funds.
“They were going to do a walk from Gisborne to Whakatane for us but that’s too tough at this time of year.”
There are even people walking and donating in Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
“We’re blown away with how much support we have had but we’d love to see even more,” Mr Hunia said.
He said they were also planning a big walk, which would see people start at like the Heads and walk all the way over the hill and finish at the Whakatane Surf Lifesaving Club, which
Ms Warbrick and her family have had a long association with.
Ms Warbrick’s son, Gabe Anderson, is enjoying seeing people show their support for his mum and is having his own competition with Mr Hunia to see who can walk the most kilometres.
“I had a bit of a hiccup on Saturday night, so he’s beating me at the moment, but it is cool seeing everyone jump on board and get involved.”
Mr Anderson’s fiance, Ashleigh Browne, said they had plenty of other events lined up to help raise funds.
“We’re looking at a quiz night in July at hopefully Mata Brewery. We’ve got a restaurant night lined up with Soulsa, and we’ve had some fantastic prizes donated from like Crossfit Whakatane and other places around the district.
“We also want to do something at the Surf Club. It’s a big part of the family.”
People have until the end of July to donate. She said people could choose to run or walk. People can donate at https://moveyourbutt2020.everydayhero.com/nz/paparoa-te-araroa
brayden.lindsay@thebeacon.co.nz