NZ – Hawera Fundraises for Police Officer’s Skytower Stair Climb

Every day 6 children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Leukaemia Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC) is the national charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families.

On the 14th of August, 100 corporate teams raced up 1103 steps and 51 floors to the top of the Auckland SkyTower to raise funds for the LBC. Constable Rebecca Dearing, from the town of Hawera, 400km south of Auckland, participated in the Police Red Team. She would race up the SkyTower in uniform – complete with body armour and appointments (hand-cuffs, ASP batton and OC Spray). Part of the challenge also was to raise $1000 – her share of the $5000 team target. Rebecca mentioned before the event that, “Yes my lungs are going to burn”, her fight not dissimilar to the many blood cancer sufferers.

RRT held a sausage sizzle in the Hawera Town Square on Saturday 1st August, to help Rebecca fundraise. With sausages and onions donated by Countdown and bread donated by Yarrows Bakers, together we raised $514.00. Serving hot pulled pork sandwiches and hot drinks along with the sausages, we enjoyed bringing some brightness and warmth to the town square on a wintery Saturday morning. Some volunteers on the RRT team cooking have had a family member diagnosed with lymphoma. They were able to highly commend LBC New Zealand and how the foundation had been a massive support to them.

RRT were pleased to join in the fundraising effort for LBC, and to give every Hawera family an opportunity to give to this worthy cause.

Rebecca was hugely appreciative of the effort RRT put in to help with her fundraising work. “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to yourself and your crew for their awesome work they did on Saturday!”