Grab a fishing rod if you want to help kids like Rupert Gyton as they fight cancer.
The Tauranga Child Cancer Foundation (CCF) is this weekend holding an all-age fishing competition to help raise funds for the many Bay children coping with cancer.
One such youngster is 11-year-old Rupert, who is in
remission from leukaemia after undergoing 26 months of chemotherapy.
Rupert was diagnosed with leukaemia when aged 8, and missed 11 months of school. The Greenpark School student struggled with the challenge of missing out on sports and outings with friends.
He is grateful for the help CCF gave and now he has a new focus on life where he can do "pretty much everything".
Rupert's mother, Bev Gyton, said CCF gave great ongoing support to her family.
"They are there to help you sort financial and emotional pressures and they help you get through it all."
She said Rupert had kept a good attitude through the ordeal: "He wants to do everything now - it is like he is making up for lost time."
While Rupert won't be out fishing for the weekend - he hoped the competitors would reel in some good-sized fish.
The contest is aimed at raising money for CCF's support services.
The organisation works within the local community to create a support network for affected families and offer guidance through diagnosis, treatment and remission stages of battling cancer.
Tauranga CCF fundraiser co-ordinator Sandy Broadhurst said the event was raising money for the local branch of the organisation and would stay in the community.
Contest entry forms are available at Hunting and Fishing, Cross Rd, Sulphur Point and The Big Fish. Entry fees are $50 for a family, $25 for adults and $10 for juniors. Category prizes including a trout fishing weekend in Rotorua, jet boat rides, fishing gear and a charter fishing trip.
