KEY POINTS:
Ryan Godfrey wants Aucklanders to show their Christmas spirit this year.
The 9-year-old will be among hundreds of collectors at the Farmers Santa Parade tomorrow seeking support for Koru Care.
His support for the charitable trust is personal - Ryan was one of the 52 children the trust
this year provided with a holiday away from their troubles.
The Glen Eden boy has fanconi anaemia, an inherited blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure.
He had been due to go away on a Koru Care trip last year but became really ill just weeks before he was to leave when the bone marrow he received in 2005 from his younger brother Tyler, 7, began to fail.
He underwent a second transplant in August last year, spending three months in hospital.
Fifteen months on, Ryan is no longer dependent on transfusions.
He arrived back on Sunday from his two-week Koru Care-sponsored trip to the United States, a journey he made with 25 other children.
Mother Janine said the trip had brought back Ryan's personality. His long illness had meant that he had largely been on his own, unable to go to school, spending more time with doctors than his peers.
As a result, Mrs Godfrey said, he became more introverted.
The two-week trip took in some of America's best-known tourism sites, including Disneyland, Sea World and San Diego Zoo. Ryan's own highlights included seeing the panda and sun bear at the zoo and doing the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland.
Koru Care Charitable Trust chairwoman Ann Bain said donations collected at the Santa Parade this year would help the trust double the number of children it takes to the US next year as part of its 25th anniversary.
Collectors, most dressed in bright yellow shirts, will seek donations just before the parade's start, with collection stations at Britomart and the Downtown carparks.
For the past 25 years, Koru Care has helped more than 10,000 young people and their families, either by providing them with their fantasy holiday or with help such as educational assistance and medical care.
* The 74th Farmers Santa Parade kicks off tomorrow at 2pm, starting at the corner of Mayoral Drive and Cook St. The rain date is next Sunday.
GUIDE TO THE CHRISTMAS PARADE
What: The Farmers Santa Parade.
When: 2pm tomorrow.
Route: Leaves from the corner of Mayoral Drive and Cook St. Goes down Mayoral Drive, left into Queen St, left into Customs St West, left into Albert St to finish at the corner of Albert and Wellesley Sts.
Finishing Time: The parade takes about 50 minutes to pass any given point and will end about 3.30pm.
Parking: Parking is available at the following Auckland City Park Right Carparks: Downtown, Victoria St, Karangahape Rd and Fanshawe St. Parking will be free for vehicles leaving the carparks between noon and 6pm. Check www.parkright.co.nz for hours of operation.
Road closures: All inner-city roads will be closed between 12.30pm and 4pm. People are advised to get into the city before noon to avoid frustration with traffic and parking.
Arrangements for the disabled: An area is available in front of the Queens Head Tavern at 396 Queen St for wheelchairs. Phone 377-6192 for a pass.
Buses: Regular bus and ferry services will be running tomorrow, with some bus operators putting on extra services. Normal fares apply.
Trains: A special family pass is available for $20, which entitles two adults and up to four children or one adult and up to five children to travel. Passes can be pre-purchased at Papakura and Britomart ticket offices.
Extra services will be operating on all three lines before and after the parade.
Call Maxx on 366-6400 for bus, train and ferry times and routes, or visit www.maxx.co.nz.
Bad-weather arrangements: If the weather packs up, the postponement will be announced on Newstalk ZB after 10am tomorrow. The parade will go ahead in light rain.
Rain date: Next Sunday.
Collection: Collectors will be around for a gold coin donation before the parade starts. The charity is Koru Care.
Parade After-Party: In Aotea Square from 3.15pm to 5.30pm featuring Santa, StarFish Magic, cheerleaders, dance troupes, Shortland Street stars, Cookie Bear and Buzzy Bee and lots more.
For more information go to www.santaparade.co.nz.
Compiled by Phoebe Falconer
