New Zealanders are being encouraged to play a part in ensuring that the memory of Sir Edmund Hillary rocks on.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand is seeking donations and engraved rocks to construct a memorial cairn for Sir Ed at Tongariro, in theshadow of Mt Ruapehu.
The rocks will be donated and collected during the Summits for Ed tribute tour starting tomorrow in Bluff and ending in Cape Reinga on April 19. People wanting their rocks to become part of the memorial can either bring an already engraved rock to a summit climb with a $100 donation or pay an additional $50 to get a rock supplied and engraved.
Those who cannot donate an engraved rock can bring a stone with a gold coin donation for the stone to be placed on the cairn.
"We envisage the memorial will serve as a tribute to our national hero and also become a place where future generations can learn about Sir Ed's values and the contribution individuals can make to create a healthy, vibrant New Zealand society," said Grant McKenzie, chairman of the centre.
"All donations will go to creating scholarships to enable youth in need to attend our outdoor courses at either Tongariro or on Great Barrier Island."
He said rocks were representative of Sir Ed's love of mountains, and the final design would be done in consultation with Lady Hillary.
