Child cancer fundraiser

Vicky Rope

The city of Hastings will pull together to raise money for child cancer on Friday.

Child Cancer Foundation fundraising and business development manager Vicky Rope said the One Day for Child Cancer challenge, run by the Child Cancer Foundation, asked businesses, schools and organisations to choose just one day in July to raise money for children with cancer.

The Hastings version of the challenge will be held this Friday from 11am in the city's CBD and feature family activities and live entertainment.

Local retailers will offer lunchtime specials and discounts, with proceeds going to the foundation.

Kids can register for a treasure hunt and search for eight giant coloured beads hidden in shop window displays.

The beads were intended to spread awareness about the Beads of Courage programme - a registered therapeutic programme in which children with cancer are given coloured beads to represent treatments they undergo.

Coloured lanterns, representing beads, will adorn the city centre and local artist Jil of Aotearoa was set to draw giant beads in chalk along the cobblestones.

Central Football will run a "kick child cancer" competition, with 50 soccer balls to give away, and there will be live entertainment from the Twin City Stompers jazz band from 11am.

Ms Rope encouraged families to make the most of Friday's activities during the last week of the school holidays.

"We are hoping the Hastings community will come down to support this event, bring the kids and a pocket full of gold coins and join in the fun."

To register your event online, visit childcancerfundraising.org.nz/event/hawkesbayoneday or text BEAD to 206 for an instant $3 donation to Child Cancer Foundation.