A Rotorua trio's Mongolian fundraiser starts on Friday with a cocktail party - but get in quick, tickets are selling fast.
Canter for Cancer is an initiative by Rotorua's Nicki Main, Emily Holmes and Cameron Lammas. They are aiming to raise $100,000 through sponsorship for riding a 200km horse trekthrough Mongolia. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Lakes District Child Cancer Foundation.
The cocktail party at Peppers on the Point will feature live entertainment, refreshments and an auction. Among the items up for grabs is an All Blacks jersey signed by 30 team members and limited edition signed and framed portraits of Richie McCaw, Sonny Bill Williams and Kieran Reid.
The foundation's fundraising and business development manager Delwynne Hahunga said tickets to the cocktail party, sponsored by Professionals McDowell Real Estate and Peppers on the Point, were selling well.
"This is the first time a Canter for Cancer event has been organised in New Zealand. This fundraising idea has been very successful overseas and is operated by Discover Adventure NZ, also based in the Bay of Plenty. We're delighted to be involved in this exciting project that has the potential to raise lots of funds for such a worthy cause," she said.
Ms Hahunga said more than 150 children were diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand every year and the foundation could support up to 900 families at one time.
The foundation's vision is that every child and their family walking the child cancer journey will never feel alone.
"As we receive no government funding, nor funding from any other cancer charity, events such as this are vital in helping to achieve our aim to reduce the impact of cancer by offering services to ensure children and their families are supported, informed and well cared for on their journey with cancer," Ms Hahunga said.
