Auction boosts charity

Nicola Greville, guest speaker, talking about her experience with her son at the Business Belles charity auction and lunch. Photo / Duncan Brown

Support from the child cancer Foundation meant that Nicola Greville never felt alone trying to cope after her son was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia.

The Hastings mother shared her story at the Business Belles Charity Auction lunch last week which raised more than $18,000 for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Ms Greville said her son Marcus was diagnosed with AML, a week after his first birthday.

His parents were given less than 24 hours to fly to Auckland, leaving his siblings, 5 and 3, at home. The family would not return to Hawke's Bay fulltime for six months.

"The practical, hands-on support from our family support co-ordinator at the Child Cancer Foundation was all delivered with such empathy and kindness. It meant that I never felt lost or alone in my experience," Ms Greville said.

Marcus, is now 3 and thrives.

He lives life to the fullest, he continues to make his family smile when they realise just how brave he was and just how far they have all come, she said.

At the charity auction, accommodation packages, dinners out, pamper items and a Hawks rugby jersey were some of the items sold.

All proceeds are going to the Child Cancer Foundation.

Napier's business, Black & White Accounting started Business Belles 4 years ago as a forum for Hawke's Bay women to network on a regular basis.

Karrie Stephens, from Black & White Mortgages and Insurance and organiser of the Business Belles, says the group gives Hawke's Bay businesswomen the opportunity to promote their own business and also network with other like-minded people.

Child Cancer Foundation Hawke's Bay business development manager Vicky Rope said as a charity, the foundation was unique as it supports the entire family - the child, parents/caregivers and siblings - every step of the way.