NZCB Canterbury walks 12-hours to raise funds for Cancer Society

Inspired by his wife’s commitment to Cancer Society New Zealand, New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Business Development Manager South Island Nick Matthews pulled together a team to compete in the 12-hour Cancer Society Relay For Life Ōtautahi 2020. On Saturday 10 October, the committed NZCB team joined 423 supporters and raised $54,955 for the Canterbury – Westcoast division of Cancer Society. Nationally, 861 teams raised more than $1-million for the worthwhile cause.

So, what’s it all about? Relay For Life is an inspiring community event organised by the Cancer Society to celebrate cancer survivors and carers, as well as remember loved ones who have passed. People walk or run around a track in a relay-style to raise awareness and funds to support the work of the Cancer Society. This year’s event began with an opening ceremony where cancer survivors and carers led the first lap of the event, followed by team members who walked, jogged, or ran.

We spoke to Nick and the NZCB team shortly after the event to find out more.

NZCB: How did you get involved with this event? Nick: I heard about it online and asked my wife Anna, who’s involved with the Cancer Society, what the requirements were to participate. I was interested in how the event was run, the people who enter, and what its purpose was. She convinced me it was a worthy cause and so we got a crew together.

NZCB: Can you tell us who from NZCB came along to support the Relay For Life? Nick: NZCB President Canterbury Richard Poff and his wife Rose participated, and also got their current clients to participate. NZCB Canterbury members Pat Coughlan and Simon McRae (including their partners and children) also joined in on the fun, as well as NZCB President Central Otago Andy McRae, who is Simon’s younger brother. Andy and his family were visiting during the school holidays and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take part. We also had other friends and family participate and contribute to the cause. NZCB: How long is the event? Nick: The relay is a 12-hour event from 10:00am until 10:00 pm, but of course, Richard and I were the first to arrive, two hours early, and had the NZCB stand set up and ready to go before anyone else arrived!

NZCB: How did you find the relay? NZCB President Canterbury Richard Poff: By the end of the relay, it was hard work. Nick was great company and we had good support from a few members throughout the day. It was also great to have a couple of my clients contribute and join in. I felt like I needed a couple of lazy days after the event to recover!

NZCB: How did you organise the team for the day? Nick: We put together a roster for everyone that included when to arrive and when to be on the track. Everyone did their share of walking or jogging with most doing more than was expected. Several NZCB team members arrived early, so rather than waiting for their time slot, they started. Richard and I welcomed team members as they arrived and walked a couple of laps with them before stepping aside and re-joining them for the handover of the batten. Our team batten was a wooden hammer crafted by Richard.

NZCB: How was the NZCB team feeling the next day? Nick: Pretty buggered, to be honest! None of us really trained for the event. It was a long time to be on your feet and moving, but it was well worth the effort. Everyone was friendly and all the teams got into the spirit of the day. As the event continued the weather turned a bit nasty and we got a little wet towards the end, but we weren’t stopping with only two hours to go.

CANTERBURY

Some of the NZCB team on the start line ready to go

NZCB: How much did the NZCB team raise? Nick: We raised $1,000, which was a combination of sponsorship and proceeds from a raffle we ran on the day. I made a BBQ table and we sold 100 tickets at $5 per ticket. The winner of the BBQ table was very pleased because they really needed a new one!

NZCB: How much was raised in total? Nick: All teams helped to raise just shy of $60,000. Not a bad outcome because many other Cancer Society events had been postponed due to COVID-19. It was originally meant to happen the first weekend in March but due to lockdown, many teams were unable to take part.

The Cancer Society is a not for profit organisation that relies on fundraising and many generous sponsors for funding support. For more information on the Cancer Society and how you can donate to this worthy cause, visit www.cancernz.org.nz.

TOP LEFT: NZCB team members Pat Coughlan (left) and his son William (right) part way through one of their laps. William is holding the NZCB team batten crafted by NZCB President Canterbury Richard Poff. TOP RIGHT: NZCB team member Pat Coughlan (left) passing the batten to NZCB Business Development Manager, South Island Nick Matthews (right). BOTTOM: NZCB President Canterbury Richard Poff (left) with Cancer Society NZ’s Emily Murdoch drawing the lucky winner of the raffle for the BBQ made by NZCB Business Development Manager, South Island Nick Matthews.