For most of us, a great day out involves good weather. But as the drizzle persisted and the wind whipped up, there were squeals of laughter as 60 children got drenched by sea spray on the prow of the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Thanks to Variety – The Children’s Charity, TVNZ weather presenter Karen Olsen and a handful of family and friends, including Tamati Coffey, Breakfast’s Brooke Dobson, Silver Fern Maria Tutaia and Elemeno P’s Lani Purkis, the ferry was en route to the island for a unique day out for kids affected by cancer, along withtheir families.
“I don’t think the kids feel the cold!” laughs Karen Olsen, who has been involved with Variety for 17 years and whose children, Campbell (10) and Amelia (12), joined her on the island. But, far from being cross, Karen was delighted – giving the kids joy is why she agreed to help organise the day.
“I was approached by my brother-in-law, Brian Ayres, whose boss, [entrepreneur] Tony Radisich had volunteered to put on a day for some kids who deserved a treat,” says Karen, who, along with Brian and Variety, spent more than three months arranging the day out.
“When one family member has cancer, it becomes pretty much all the family focuses on. We wanted to make a fun day to give the kids and their siblings something different.”
The kids, all aged between six and 17, scrambled to try out the range of activities, which included rides on a Coastguard boat, off-road four-wheel drive vehicles, horse riding, jet-skiing, sea biscuit jaunts and cricket. Chefs from the local Mudbrick Café cooked lamb on a spit and burgers while volunteer locals kept the lively bunch hydrated with drinks provided by the island’s Countdown supermarket.
“I’ve just had my first go on a Jet Ski! I love that I could be here today, because having cancer changes everything,” explains Courtney Rouse (15), whose life was turned upside down last August 11, when she was diagnosed with the disease. “I’d just gone to Australia for a soccer tournament, but I’d been so tired and when I came back I was diagnosed,” she explains.
Twenty-eight chemotherapy sessions later, and after getting the news three weeks ago she has Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Courtney’s waiting to find out if the treatment has rid her body of cancer. “Coming here is great – I haven’t been well enough to go to any other camps or functions.”
The special day was just one of many Variety puts on for the more than 10,000 Kiwi kids who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged – a statistic which, says newlywed Tamati Coffey, is deeply grounding. “We get so mixed up with our lives, then you realise that some of these kids are facing death,” he explains. “This is about giving the families a break.”
But it’s not just the kids and their families that benefit from the day – it’s the volunteers too. “Today’s my only day off from training, but I really wanted to come over and help out,” says Silver Fern Maria, who spent the day signing autographs and hugging delighted fans.
There’s also a new generation of helpers – Karen’s daughter Amelia is very involved in her mum’s work with the charity and knows many of the kids personally. “Amelia came with me last Christmas to hand out teddy bears and she’s keen on doing more,” explains Karen.
As the day drew to a close, the tired but happy party was evacuated onto the ferry by Coastguard, motor boat and even local fishing tinny, after the party overran, leaving the tide too low for the ferry to come to shore. But even this unexpected development added to the day.
“It’s been wonderful,” smiles Karen as the kids scramble back out onto the prow to get even wetter. “Seeing these kids, who have so much sadness and worry in their lives, looking so happy – it’s what makes it all worthwhile.”
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