By Laura Bootham
St Martins school’s Sam O'Hara and Ben Friel are prepared to put in the hard yards to raise money for children with cancer and they're very motivated. Sam has a cousin with cancer and Ben’s mum Julie works at the cancer ward.
They hope to raise money for the Christchurch Haematology and Oncology Centre, or 'CHOC'.
Because Wellington no longer has any paediatric consultants in those fields, the children who went there are farmed out to Auckland’s Starship hospital and CHOC. Now CHOC's ten beds are always full.
While Sam and Ben struggle with steep hills and strong winds, those on the ward, ranging in age from 20 months to 19 years, face much more painful challenges.
13-year-old Josh O’Halloran from Wellington expects to be away from home for at least three months.
“It’s been really hard. We got no family down here so it's just been my mum and my mum's partner.” He said
A grey room has been 14-year-old Jake Knight's home for the last four months. He can't even go into the windowless main lounge because of the risk of infection.
"It's put my life on hold quite a bit, cos I have to be in hospital pretty much the whole time,” he said
Jake said on his wish-list is better modems and laptops so patients can Skype with friends and family, breaking the isolation.
Nurse Mason Lewis says new toys free of infection, and also kitchen appliances would be a psychological boost.
“I personally believe that if you are feeling better mentally, then you are going to cope with treatments better.” Mason commented.
It was an uphill battle as Ben and Sam slogged their way over the Cashmere hills, round Lyttelton and over more hills to windy Sumner. After more than two hours, the end was in sight.
Ben and Sam hope adults will follow in their tracks and help some very deserving children.
Anyone who wants to donate money or new toys can contact Ben’s mum, nurse Julie Friel - who featured in this story - on 021 492 057