Race is on to help Harrison Mundy

Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Sarah Lockwood, flanked by Mike Lord and Ange Johnston, wants people to race to the top of Mauao to help a Papamoa boy fight cancer. Photo/Andrew Warner.

The family of 10-year old boy battling rare form of cancer has been given the "gut-wrenching" news that a tumour on his spine has returned.

Harrison Mundy was first diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in June.

His father, Alan Mundy, said the family was told the tumour on his son's spine had returned and the 10-year-old had built up resistance to chemotherapy.

The family were continuing with radiotherapy and a second type of chemotherapy at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital in the hope it would shrink the tumour and minimise the risk to the spinal cord.

"I heard a quote the other day - 'once you get to Hell, keep walking', and that's what we are doing," Mr Mundy said.

Mr Mundy, wife Hayley and Harrison are well known in the Bay of Plenty. Mr Mundy teaches at Mount Maunganui College and has been involved in Surf Life Saving New Zealand in regional and national roles.

A fundraiser race is to take place at Mount Maunganui next month to help cover treatment costs.

Mr Mundy said he had been blown away by the support.

"It's brilliant and I think the best thing for us is actually the support. The money is definitely needed but knowing we've got this whopping big team of supporters back in Tauranga, it really does make a difference because we are struggling. His tumour has taken a step back to square one." The Mundys were preparing for "all outcomes" and looked forward to someone winning a trip to Fiji from the race, starting on December 4 at dawn.

House of Travel Papamoa, where Ms Mundy works, has offered an all-expenses cruise and flights for two to Fiji as a spot prize to someone pre-registered in the Sunrise Race for Harrison next month.

Friend and colleague Sarah Lockwood organised the event as a way of giving back to the Mundys, who would have been first in line to help out others in their situation, she said.

Sunrise race for Harrison:

Where: At the boardwalk at Leisure Island end of Mount Maunganui main beach.

When: December 4, 6am to 6.25am. Race begins at 6.30am.

Entry fee: $10 per person, for teams of three to four people.

Registration: at House of Travel Papamoa or on the day.