Rugby fixture a memorial

The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 6 March 2007

The deaths to brain cancer of two young Kapiti Coast men have prompted the community to launch of an annual memorial rugby match to raise funds for Mary Potter Hospice.

Matt Todd, 34, and father of two, died last May and his friend and former police officer Dave Bowman, 36, also a father of two, died in June after lobbying successfully for government funding for chemotherapy drug Temadol.

Constable Ty Davidson has organised the Bowman-Todd match to be played between a Kapiti-Mana police team and Waikanae club at Waikanae Park on March 11.

"Both men fought long and hard against the debilitating illness and spent their final days cared for by wonderful staff at Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington.

"The hospice receives a mere $2 million in government funding a year to operate and relies heavily on donations," Mr Davidson said.

WELLINGTON FAMILY 4 X 4 CLUB - AKATARAWA FOREST TAG ALONG FUNDRAISER

What a great day had by ALL!!

The weather Gods shined on us and we had an exciting time 'GOING BUSH". A superbly run event and many thanks to those who organised and helped to make the day such a success. For more details about Wellington Family 4 x 4 Club check out their web sitre at www.wgtnfamily4x4.com

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DAVE RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM COUSIN OVER IN ENGLAND!!

The last time I saw my cousins David and Penny was when I was three years old. Dave is the only cousinI can remember because he made such a big impact on me. So, as you can imagine my family and I were shocked when nine years later we heard that Dave had a brain tumour.

We were equally horrified when we received the DVD of David and Penny on breakfast TV where we discovered that Dave had to pay $6200 a month for his treatment. This was hard for me to understand because over here in England, if you have life-threatening or not illness then they will pay for it on the NHS (National Health Service). After watching this DVD and being an Evans and all I decided to help David pay for his treatment.

So, as it was the summer holidays and after deciding on a date and time I sent all my friends from my primary and secondary school an information pact I had made and asked them whether they could come to the walk and be sponsored or sponsor me. I asked my Dad to go into work and ask people there to sponsor me and we asked all the neighbours and by Sunday 4th September 2005 I had raised about 200 pounds.

To make it extra special we asked Dave's sister, Shelley, how to transfer pictures onto t-shirts. After she had told us how, she sent us a picture of David and Penny at the fundraising event. We then made many t-shirts, hats, cardigans and hair-bands for people who came to wear. We even made one for my black Labrador, Jasper. I also made a large banner with a picture of Dave and the boys, which we stuck, in the front garden.

When the day arrived we gathered in the garden where we started our 4mile walk around Petts Wood. It was supposed to take 2hrs but because it was SOOOOOO hot and we wanted to get back into the shade it took us about 1hr 15mins!!! Once we got back we had a HUGE barbie before relaxing in the garden where it was 28deg.C. (See, it doesn't always rain in England!!!) People went at about 4:30pm. We then cleared up before collapsing with tiredness!!!

I had raised well over my 300pound target but I didn't stop there. When I went back to school I asked all the people who didn't reply and who hadn't sponsored me to donate spare change. I think the class raised about 20 pound all together. After counting all the money up I came up with about 500-600pounds!! What was really pleasing was that some people from America sponsored me.

So, if you've got cancer just remember that people half way across the world from you are supporting you and your not alone.

Finally, I would like to thank all the people who came to the walk and sponsored or donated because it would not have been possible without you. BYE!

Liz Evans , Aged 12, London, UK.

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Charity Auction, Celebrity Debate & Dinner, Southwards Auditorium Friday 19th August 2005

All our hard work finally paid off on the night and what a fantastic night we had. With a little improvisation, some contingencies,

and a lot of flexibility, we pulled off what many will call the event of the year. WELL DONE EVERYONE.

Words cannot explain the magnitude of this event…We are overwhelmed by the support on the night and have collectively well

exceeded our fundraising target of $50,000. Here are some Photos of the evening with plenty more to come: