Abby Hopkirk, 29, said she had floated the idea of running the May 18 marathon with husband Cam before he died as a way of giving back to the charities and helpers who supported them through the tragedy.
Abby said she first met Cam Hopkirk when she was 18 years old. She described him as a witty, funny man with a zest for life. But that all changed after the discovery of a brain tumour.
Cam developed a limp in his left leg in October 2022 which the pair had attributed to his history of rugby and fitness work.
Around this time, Abby gave birth to their daughter Elsie.
“We were experiencing the highest of highs at the same time we were experiencing these crazy lows.
“You want to soak up all the positive moments but you are living in this alternate reality of doom and gloom.”
The family took the time to travel the country and make as many memories as they could together.
Cam died on November 19, 2023, almost a year after his first seizure.
“It was a quick, very full-on and sad year.”
Abby said she and Cam had discussed how to give back to the charities that supported and continue to support the family, including in the form of counselling.
One of those ideas was to run a marathon, and she is now training for the half marathon with a group of friends and family.
The young mother said she and friends were raising $10,000 to give back to The White Matter Brain Cancer Trust, Cranford Hospice and Brain Tumour Support NZ.
“That’s where the passion to support them comes from, the fact that they give you so much and you do need it.”
Half marathon starts at 8am at 350-390 Marine Parade, Napier
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay newsrooms. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and has a love for sharing stories about farming and rural communities.