7 minute read
Gemma the scooter raises a record $9,300 for Cancer Society
Late last year, I decided I’d like to do some fundraising – possibly a ‘scooter run’. My initial reasons were to have a good time with some mates and maybe gather up a few dollars for a worthwhile cause. Along came the Canterbury-West Coast Cancer Society Scooter Safari, and I thought “this is perfect!”
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The Scooter Safari, held on Saturday 21 May 2022, is the ultimate endurance ride on a motorised scooter. More than 400 participants travel 250km from coast to coast, over the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Hokitika, to raise funds for the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
One of the coldest, longest, hardest, and most gruelling tests of endurance on a city scooter, the event is designed to give participants an insight into hardship. While the Scooter Safari pales in comparison to the challenges people face on their cancer journey, it calls upon shared values of grit and determination. The event raises awareness and funds for the Cancer Society of New Zealand, with each competitor committing to raise at least $250 upon entry.
My initial task was to find a scooter capable of making the journey from Christchurch to Hokitika. I managed to buy one from a friend’s daughter who owns the New Zealand Post franchise in Alexandra. Perfect – an old postie bike. As can be seen from the photos, it is still in excellent condition, and polished up really well. The next task was to gather a small team. I put the word out and we finished up with New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager Nick Matthews, Past NZCB Southland President Paul Young, NZCB Otago President Sacha Gray, and myself – NZCB West Coast President and Past NZCB Canterbury President. With a limited number of entry spaces available, it was touch and go to gain a spot but we got there in the end.
I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in this fundraiser. In the past year, I have lost an aunty, uncle, and a really good builder mate to cancer, all too young to go! The two “ family members died five weeks after being diagnosed.
Sacha Gray, NZCB Otago President
Left: The NZCB team from left to right: NZCB West Coast President Richard Poff, Past NZCB Southland President Paul Young, NZCB Otago President Sacha Gray and NZCB Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager Nick Matthews, with 'Gemma' ready to begin the journey.
Below, from left: NZCB Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager Nick Matthews leading the charge to the Sheffield Pie Shop; middle, Past NZCB Southland President Paul Young, racing up Porters Pass; and right, Lake Lyndon, Porters Pass Rest Area – the second stop of the Journey.
Cancer can affect us all. It doesn’t discriminate and we all know family and friends who have been taken from us too soon. I rode to help raise funds to support the Cancer Society and to remember family and friends who have suffered from this awful disease. “
Nick Matthews, NZCB Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager
The guys and I had been looking for a name for the scooter because it’s always nice to personalise a motorcycle. I recalled a recent conversation with NZCB Canterbury President Tony Lindley, who shared how his eight-year-old daughter Gemma had been diagnosed with cancer early in 2022. It seemed like the perfect name, so I mentioned it to the guys, and we all agreed – the NZCB Scooter was to be named ‘Gemma’.
With ‘Gemma’ the scooter ready to roll, we excitedly embarked on our adventure on a chilly Saturday morning. It was a sunny but cold start for Nick who tackled stage one of the journey from the Vintage Car Club in Christchurch along the Old West Coast Road to the famous Sheffield Pie Shop.
I did the Scooter Safari to help raise funds for the Cancer Society as cancer affects us all in different ways throughout our lives, and I also believe that getting out there and doing something is a great way to raise money. “
Paul Young, Past NZCB Southland President
NZCB West Coast President Richard Poff, following the Support Vehicle (driven by NZCB Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager Nick Matthews, wife Anna Matthews), into Hokitika. NZCB Otago President Sacha Gray chasing the Support Vehicle on stage three.
A steep climb up Porters Pass into the snow faced Paul, as he took on stage two from Sheffield to Lake Lyndon. Sacha experienced a long icy ride from Lake Lyndon though Castle Hill Basin to Arthur’s Pass to complete stage three. We regrouped for lunch, then ‘Gemma’ and I hit the road. I rode through strong winds, rain, and a bit of sunshine on the final stage from Arthur’s Pass to Hokitika. The best part was the thrill of flying down the Otira Viaduct at full speed – 80kph. Yahoo!
When I arrived at the end point, I was told to grab a hot drink from the catering team. Thinking I would be given tea or coffee, I was grateful to be handed a mug of the best hot chocolate I have had in years! It quickly warmed me up again. Overall, the run was quite a challenge with the weather chucking everything at us, but we survived!
We found the generosity of Hokitika locals outstanding, including our stay with Kay and Rodney Archer (Past NZCB West Coast President). Kay whipped up a large platter of whitebait fritters (heavy on the whitebait), a large tureen of soup, a big plateful of roast chicken pieces, and loaves of fresh-baked bread. A very happy and well-fed crew, thanks Kay!
The Scooter Safari was a fantastic opportunity to raise money for the Cancer Society of New Zealand and have fun along the way. Thanks to the generosity of friends and the support of many NZCB regions around New Zealand, we raised over $9,300 and were crowned the top fundraising team. The event raised a total of $370,000 – an incredible outcome.
Would we do it all again? Too right! It was a lot of fun, we had plenty of laughs, and we raised a good amount of money. The scooter is now parked in my garage but I have already found a few similar (but smaller) events being held later this year, which we hope to enter with ‘Gemma’.
Cheers Richard Poff
The happy NZCB team from left: NZCB Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager Nick Matthews, Past NZCB Southland President Paul Young, NZCB Otago President Sacha Gray, and NZCB West Coast President Richard Poff, at the finish line – journey complete!
Gemma Lindley testing out, ‘Gemma’ the scooter before it begins the journey from Christchurch to Hokitika.
Gemma’s story
“Several months ago, Gemma alerted us to what she thought was a bruise on her leg. Unfortunately, this quickly grew to be a large lump on her hip. Months of investigations eventually proved it to be a fastgrowing tumour. A further biopsy found it to be a Sarcoma (a form of cancer in the soft tissue). The pain of the Sarcoma, which had wrapped itself around nerves in her upper leg, soon confined her to a wheelchair. As she is generally a chirpy sort of kid, Gemma did her best to carry on with life, and not let the wheelchair stop her from doing stuff. She's recently had an operation to remove the cancerous lump, and is excited to be getting her mobility back. There will likely be quite a bit more to her journey through this, and we are all hopeful it will have a happy outcome.” – Tony and Victoria Lindley
