July 5 2006
Courageous Kayakers Raise Funds For Child Cancer!
Child Cancer member Claudia Howett and her sister Eilis farewell the Kayak for Cancer Team from Takapuna beach
A courageous child cancer survivor and seven dedicated men have entered the fifth day of their kayak journey to Cape
Reinga!
Child Cancer survivor Chris Dench in his kayak and eady for his very early morning start!
Chris Dench, a child cancer survivor and amputee, and his team mates are kayaking hundreds of kilometres from Takapuna
to Cape Reinga to raise awareness and funds for the Child Cancer Foundation Auckland Branch.
The Kayak for Cancer has already raised more than $5, 500 for the Child Cancer Foundation Auckland Branch.
The journey has so far seen the team face dangerous surf, broken kayaks and exhaustion and that was only the first four
days.
Early morning starts for the Kayak for Cancer Team
“Day four was incredible. The surf was pounding as the team tackled the bar. After losing sight of them I realised we’d
lost one man somewhere and one kayak was upside down and being battered about,” reported Ruth Henderson the teams land
support.
“Luckily everyone was fine, minus one kayak that needed some serious repairs, but today everything is back on track.”
As an amputee Chris is facing extra challenges on the journey but sees the expedition as a chance to show that child
cancer survivors can achieve and live
fulfilling lives.
"The Kayak for Cancer will be incredibly tough and demanding but then so is living your childhood with cancer," said
Chris.
"We want our expedition to highlight the struggle cancer kids face everyday but show that cancer can be beaten with the
help of organisations such as the Child Cancer Foundation."
The Kayak for Cancer team has self-funded their expedition and hope to reach Cape Reinga before July 16. All funds
raised will be donated to the Child Cancer Foundation Auckland Branch.
Battling the surf for Child Cancer!
The Child Cancer Foundation Auckland Branch actively supports more than 600 children with cancer and their families.
Support ranges from financial assistance and counselling to home visits and sibling and parent events. The Child Cancer
Foundation receives no government funding and relies solely on public donations and sponsorship.
If you would like to support the Kayak for Cancer expedition please visit: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kayak4cancer/
ENDS