Hockey fundraiser for cancer mum

READY: Getting in the mood for today's big games with Black Stick Shea McAleese yesterday were the Findlay children Hannah (left), Emma, Sean and Greer. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

For the four Findlay children, yesterday was a good opportunity to get a little bit of last-minute practice and some words of encouragement from one of hockey's finest, in preparation for today's fundraising matches of support for their mum who is battling cancer.

Hawke's Bay Black Stick Shea McAleese, resplendent in pink socks, was happy to pass on a few tactical tips to the children who will each captain a children's team in matches at Park Island leading up to the Findlay Family Benefit Match at 2.30pm.

For Mr McAleese there was never any question about helping put a very special match together for a woman he described through her devotion to many sports as very special herself.

Angela Nilsson-Findlay, who is a physical education teacher at Taradale High School, is battling cancer, secondary to breast cancer first diagnosed two years ago.

There were always going to be some very good players available to play as Mr McAleese had invited a group of mates to Napier to help celebrate his 30th birthday last night.

So when hockey stalwarts Simon and Sarah Nation heard about that they asked if he could help put on a benefit match.

His response was immediate.

"Absolutely."

Mr McAleese said despite the short lead-in time to get today's match together it had all gone well.

"The whole hockey community has got behind it," he said.

"Everybody has wanted to do something - they've all said 'we're into that' - it has been fantastic."

The main match will feature a New Zealand Invitational side taking on a Hawke's Bay selection and one thing Mr McAleese will be watching closely is the "ticker" indicating how many people go along to watch and be part of the support for the Findlays who are widely known for their support and devotion to sport in the region.

"The Black Sticks will be playing Canada in Christchurch at the same time - let's see if we can get more people along to watch."

He said he believes it will be an even match with plenty of skill, as well as a wide range of players.

"My dad (Dan) is 60 and an ex-Masters New Zealand player - he will be in goal for us," Mr McAleese said.

Graeme Findlay said he had been overwhelmed and left humbled at the way the hockey and wider sporting community had come together for the family at a difficult time.

"The support has been incredible - everybody has just wanted to help."

He said their children, 10-year-old twins Hannah and Emma, eight-year-old Greer and 13-year-old Sean knew pretty well what was happening to their mum who is currently in Palmerston North undergoing two weeks of radiation treatment.

"They have taken turns in going down to visit for a day or two - staying at Oznam House which has been so good," Mr Findlay said.

"They know what it is all about," he said, adding he lost his mother, and their grandmother, to breast cancer six years ago.

He said people had heard about the support match day and had been ringing to ask what they could do to help.

Mrs Nilsson-Findlay's teaching colleagues at Taradale High had also been pitching in.

"Meals get dropped off as well as plenty of baking - it has been incredible."

-The Findlay Family Benefit match gets underway at the Park Island hockey fields this afternoon at 2.30, preceded by children's games. Entry will be by gold coin donation and there will be an auction, raffles and sausage sizzle. Spectators are encouraged to wear pink.