Run for your life
A Child, Youth and Family residence became the stage for a 24-hour marathon, as 30 young people took part in Relay for Life.
Young people and staff at the Lower North Island youth justice residence completed the Relay for Life to raise money for the Cancer Society. This is the fourth year they’ve taken part, and they even managed to smash their previous fundraising record of $3000.
One of the young people was named ‘Most Consistent’ after completing an impressive 255 laps. He rose to the occasion with a tirelessly positive attitude despite only a couple of hours sleep. “Four of us boys are doing the relay together. We got pretty sore early this morning, but we encouraged each other to push ourselves to the limit, and the staff and guests keep encouraging us to take it further,” he said. “It’s cool finding out you can do more than you think you can.”
Also doing laps was annual participant Youth Court Judge Doug Ross, who took the opportunity to not only sponsor, encourage, and chat with the boys, but to hand out awards when he presided at the prize giving.
Top honours went to a young man who completed an impressive 327 laps, and an artists’ prize was awarded to another young person for his ‘candle bag’, which thoughtfully reflected the spirit of the relay. The ‘Most Awesome Staff Member’ award went to residence teacher Lindy Riches, who walked for the entire 24 hour period.
