Locals get behind a fundraising concert for Talei Morrison's cancer campaign
Aunty Krissie Knap sheds a tear every time she clicks on to the 'To Talei with Love' #SYM Facebook page.
Although three weeks remain before a fundraising concert is to be held for the Smear Your Mea campaign, the $6000 goal is within reach.
That, according to Knap, is atestament to the high regard in which Smear Your Mea campaign founder Talei Morrison is held.
Morrison was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year and, in an effort to raise awareness of the disease and to stop other wāhine having to go through what she did, launched the Smear Your Mea campaign.
Earlier this year Morrison was told her cancer had spread and there was nothing more that could be done with conventional medicine.
"Some time after this I was tagged in a chat where a whole lot of people were talking about holding fundraising events for the Smear Your Mea campaign," Knap said.
"So I opened my big mouth, put up my hand, and said I'd get a concert organised."
Knap did something similar 13 years ago for her mother who had, at the time, been diagnosed with cancer.
Locals are getting behind a fundraising concert for Talei Morrison's cancer campaign. Photo/Ben Fraser
"I know Talei, she's actually a cousin, and is just a beautiful woman with a beautiful wairua. She's known and respected throughout Te Arawa and I wanted to do something.
"Smear Your Mea is a legacy that is going to be around for a long time and one that will ultimately help a lot of people - it's an honour to be helping with that."
Knap said she was not the only person who felt that way after the line-up of musicians for 'To Talei with Love' #SYM kept growing.
"Not only are the donations coming in thick and fast, so are the people who want to be part of the day. I've had to extend the concert by two hours to accommodate the 19 performers we have so far.
"At only $10 a ticket, the 200 people who attend know they'll be in for a great show."
Tickets have been limited to 200 and, to date, there are only 40 left.
As well as ticket sales, donations have been made to the concert from New Zealand and Australia.
"We're getting donations and sponsorship from all over the place including from Te Puia who are funding concert T-shirts. I've told people coming to bring fat wallets as there'll be auctions and raffles on the day run by our auctioneer-extraordinaire Te Ururoa Flavell."
Knap and Kingi Biddle will be concert MCs and will be introducing a line-up of talent that includes Rewa and Mickey Ututaonga, Russel Harrison and The Rockers.
'To Talei with Love' #SYM takes place at the Waikite Rugby and Sports Club on July 1. The concert kicks off at 2pm and is scheduled to finish at 10pm.
