Rotary Club of Rotorua West donates $13,000 to Aratika Cancer Trust

The Rotary Club of Rotorua West raised $13,000 and donated it to the Aratika Cancer Trust on December 12. Pictured from left: Jodie Pepping and Amanda Everson from Craigs Investment Partners, president Mike Cresswell and Steve Christie from the Rotary Club of Rotorua West, Dr Barbara Hochstein and Wendy Lewis from Aratika Cancer Trust. Photo / Supplied

A Rotorua charitable trust which helps cancer patients has received a “generous” donation of $13,000 from the local Rotary club, which will go towards running three retreats next year.

The cheque was presented to the Aratika Cancer Trust at the Rotary Club of Rotorua West’s Christmas function on December 12.

Trust founding trustee and radiologist Dr Barbara Hochstein told the Rotorua Daily Post she spoke to the Rotary club earlier this year about the trust’s history and achievements.

This led to the club deciding to fundraise for the trust.

Hochstein said the trust started in 2010 to help people diagnosed with cancer. It was incorporated in 2011 to give people information about complementary lifestyle choices to enhance patients’ wellbeing.

Hochstein - who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to radiology and education in June - said the trust had operated 21 retreats since 2011 offering “supportive cancer care and integrative medicine”.

“After a cancer diagnosis, there is often a sense of isolation - feeling alone, anxious and confused by information. The retreats offer a supportive environment and awareness you are not alone - many others have walked this path and can give hope.”

Hochstein said the $13,000 donation would have a “huge impact” by giving the trust confidence to continue with next year’s programme, with three retreats planned.

“The donation came at a time where we had serious doubt about offering the next retreat, so this was amazing to receive such a generous amount.”

The next retreat was from March 20 to 23 with four participants already booked.

She said the trust had received many community grants and donations which it was grateful for as it often partially subsidised some participants to attend the retreats.

Hochstein said the trust had facilitated several meditation, nutrition, creative mindfulness, and growing microgreens workshops over the years.

She said Aratika meant “the right path” in te reo Māori.

‘Fantastic’ to donate to a charity that will benefit locals

The Rotary club’s project manager for Aratika Cancer Trust Steve Christie said the club decided four years ago to have an annual Melbourne Cup event to raise money for local charities.

“We go around and get sponsors for prizes, then we have a silent auction, and then obviously we watch the horse race on a big TV somewhere and there’s a bit of money [that] changes hands.

“The community get in behind it.”

The event has been at the Arikikapakapa Rotorua Golf Club for the past three years. This year’s event raised $13,000, he said.

Christie said Hochstein spoke to the club which “sowed the seed” of a charity to raise money for this year.

He went to the club’s board and suggested the trust, which was accepted.

Christie said it was “fantastic” to donate the money to a charity that local people would benefit from. The club would fundraise for the trust again next year.

Christie acknowledged Craig Investment Partners who had “come on board” four years ago.

“We wouldn’t be able to operate without them.”

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.