Win's special reasons for being involved with foundation

She may have been roped into joining the committee while at a fundraiser, but Win Macmillan has stayed involved with the Child Cancer Foundation for the past decade because she loves the contribution the organisation makes.

Mrs Macmillan was attending a Child Cancer Foundation breakfast fundraiser with her husband when a committee member mentioned the need for more volunteers.

It just so happened Mrs Macmillan was looking for something to get involved in and the relationship grew from there. For the past three years she's been the president of the Lakes branch, working hard behind the scenes to raise publicity and work on much-needed fundraising events for the charity. Mrs Macmillan said the special families she met along the way was the reason why she'd stayed involved with the organisation for so long.

She often heads along to events like movie nights and said it was inspiring to meet the parents and children.

"The families are amazing and the children are just incredible."

Mrs Macmillan said there was something magical about seeing the faces of children at the special events.

The closeness forged between the families and the committee has its down sides too - with Mrs Macmillan admitting it was tough when she saw the children going through rough treatment or when a child died.

One of the most special aspects of the organisation was the way the families stayed involved for years to come. While the children might move on to organisations such as Canteen when they got older, they often stayed with the foundation too.

While Mrs Macmillan hasn't had any personal ties with child cancer, she said about half of the parents on the small committee had children with cancer.

The Rotorua Daily Post is running a campaign to help raise money for the Lakes branch of the Child Cancer Foundation. To donate money drop cash or cheques into the Rotorua Daily Post office on Hinemoa St. Cheques must be made out to the Lakes branch of the Child Cancer Foundation to ensure the funds help local families. All donors will be mentioned in the paper unless they request anonymity.