READY TO GO: The PINC & STEEL team participating in Xero's 2km Stand Up Paddle event at the Napier Port Ocean Swim event today. PHOTO/SUPPLIED.
Those who have battled cancer will be paddling in the Xero 2km Stand Up Paddle Event at the Napier Port Ocean Swim today as part of the Move Over Cancer Challenge.
This new initiative developed by the PINC & STEEL Trust was about supporting those with cancer and teaching them how to live as actively and as fully as possible.
Rachel Ward of Align Physiotherapy in Taradale was one of the providers of this programme and said the trust wanted to encourage anyone affected by the illness to continue with regular exercise as part of their recovery.
Ms Ward will be paddling alongside the team of 11.
She said some have gone through the first-hand benefits of this type of assistance and support.
"The team members have been training regularly with the help of PaddleBoarding Hawke's Bay and we are all looking forward to the challenge," Ms Ward said.
The PINC & STEEL Trust Hawke's Bay, which was developed a year ago, provides patients with subsidised individual PINC physiotherapy sessions for women and STEEL sessions for men.
They also provide group exercise programmes such as PINC Next Steps and Paddle On to assist people in their recovery and to minimise the side effects of the "rigorous" treatments.
"It is also about allowing people to gain mutual support through the friendships formed within our group."
Members of their team took part in multiple events last year participating in the 10km walk at both the Hastings Half Marathon and the Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay Marathon, and the Mitre 10 Mega Walk in support of Canteen Hawke's Bay.
Ms Ward said Team PINC & STEEL Hawke's Bay were very grateful for the donations received so far towards their goal of $5,000.
"Special thanks to Napier City Council, Bay Legal and PaddleBoarding Hawke's Bay for their support. All money raised at events will be used to support local people affected by cancer," she said.
To make a donation to the 'Move over Cancer' challenge visit their team fundraising page on the 'everydayhero' website under 'moveovercancerhawkesbay' or visit the PINC & STEEL tent at the Ocean Swim event on Saturday, in front of East Pier on Hardinge Road.