Retired Kiwi rower Juliette Haigh is supporting a charity dedicated to children living with cancer.
A bronze medallist in the women's coxless pair at the London Olympics, Juliette has accepted an invitation to be the Waikato/Bay of Plenty ambassador for Camp Quality, a not-for-profit volunteer organisation which provides a range of programmes and year-round support across New Zealand for more than 300 children aged 5-16 with cancer.
Juliette decided to quit rowing late last year following an international career spanning nine years, three world championship coxless pairs titles, five Rowing World Cup gold medals and an Olympic bronze.
Juliette (30) who lives in Cambridge with fiancée Mahe Drysdale, winner of the Olympic single sculls gold medal at London, said that while she still had a great love for rowing, she couldn't commit to a fourth Olympic campaign.
"Camp Quality is a charity I've known about for some time through a friend who was a companion at the summer camps a few years ago," says Juliette.
"When asked to become a regional ambassador I thought 'what a cool idea.'
"It is a fantastic charity that puts an emphasis on helping so many youngsters forget about their worries, have a fun time and be kids again.
"It is such a pure thing to be involved with."
Child Cancer statistics show about 150 young Kiwis are diagnosed annually with cancer.
Camp Quality believes in the power of fun to help the children and their families overcome the challenges cancer brings.