Taradale deputy head boy steps up to organise mini-Relay for Life event

Taradale High School deputy head boy Sam Williams is organising a Relay for Life event for secondary school students and intends to get his head shaved as well. Photo / Warren Buckland

A Hawke's Bay high school student has initiated a mini Relay for Life event for secondary school students, after the cancellation of the original.

Taradale High School's deputy head boy Sam Williams is spearheading the event on April 6.

To put it together Williams had several meetings with other secondary school deputies and head students as well as the Relay for Life organisers, who gave their permission for the school to hold an event replicating the original.

"The event is just for students but others are able to come down and support," Williams said.

"The only part that isn't just for students is the survivors' lap which we encourage people with or who have beaten cancer to come and do a lap.

"I will be shaving my head to raise funds for cancer at the relay as well."

School principal Stephen Hensman says it was a great opportunity for Hawke's Bay school leaders to work collaboratively for a worthy cause.

"The school has been a strong supporter of Relay for some years and it is heartening to see the effort they are going to in their support of the Cancer Society Hawke's Bay."

Schools would be able to enter teams just as they would with Relay for life, $10 per person and a minimum of 10 per team, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Society.

Staff from each school would be required to support their teams and provide supervision and security.

Shelter and shade would also be the responsibility for your school to provide. In a bid to get as much money for this cause as possible all schools are responsible for any extra fundraising that they do and can donate this directly to Relay for Life.

As of April 30, Napier Boys High School, Napier Girls High School, St Johns, Hastings Boy High School, William Colenso, Lindisfarne and Tamatea confirmed at least one team will be attending the event.

There were 50 Taradale High School students and staff total, who registered to run at the event.

"As principal, I am tremendously grateful to Sam," Hensmann said.

"There are so many of our students who know of someone who has been afflicted with cancer, including in many cases their own family members, that Sam wanted to do something positive for cancer patients in the wake of Relay for Life being cancelled this year.

"He has the support of a large leadership team, who are motivated to provide a well-organised event that does justice to the commitment shown by all participants and that would make the Cancer Society proud."

The school will be using the field, gymnasium and turf to host the event and amenities such as toilets in the gym and portaloos will be available.

Williams says the event will cater to the masses regarding entertainment and food with stalls and sporting activities such as tug of war.

"There will also be live music performances from students of different schools."

To register interest email Sam Williams- 15wilsam@ths.school.nz.