Marathon run to help cancer fight

Te Puke's Stephanie Kivell hopes to raise plenty of money for the New Zealand Cancer Society. Photo/Supplied

A former Kiwifruit Queen will compete in the London Marathon, and hopes to raise $7000 for the New Zealand Cancer Society in the process.

Te Puke's first Kiwifruit Ambassador, Stephanie Kivell, plans to run in the marathon in April next year to raise money for the charity. Following in the footsteps of her dad, Allen, she has long treated running as a hobby and completed her first marathon on her 25th birthday, in Rotorua this year.

What makes it even more special is running in honour of those close to me affected by cancer.

Stephanie Kivell, fundraiser

Before that, she had run about 10 half-marathons. "Working for Seeka in Queen St in Te Puke, I spend almost all of my lunch breaks running between six and 10km around the streets and running from Papamoa to the Mount on the weekends," she said.

"Running in the London Marathon has always been a once-in-a-lifetime dream, so when a friend asked if I was interested I couldn't say no. What makes it even more special is running in honour of those close to me affected by cancer.

"Fortunately, I have had some good advice on fundraising. I'm starting small with raffles and Lottos and will look at having an afternoon/evening at Te Puke Sports in November some time."

Readers can follow her progress at her Facebook page.

To donate, contact stephanie-kivell03@hotmail.com or visit this web page.

Miss Kivell won the Kiwifruit Ambassador contest in 2008, the year the name changed from Kiwifruit Queen. No contest has been held since 2011.