Grateful duo spearhead fundraiser

READY TO ROLL: Dargaville volunteer firefighters Will Cutts (left), Jay Himiona, Lutolofi Molou Katoa and Tyler Clarke carry Joseph Tebutt while members of the Kaipara District Council Mark Schreurs, Darlene Lang-Gent, Missy Hohai and Jessie Wordley give Miya Pirini a lift. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Joseph Tebutt and Miya Pirini have battled their own health issues and are now spearheading a fundraiser to help others facing medical emergencies.

The two Dargaville friends, 9 and 10, plan to participate in the Selwyn School cross-country run to raise funds for the Northland Emergency Services Trust.

What is remarkable about their sporting pledge is Joseph uses a wheelchair permanently, due to a multitude of congenital issues, and Miya is only able to do minimal physical activity as she builds her strength and recovers from a life-threatening bout of rheumatic fever.

But both will finish the 2.5km course at the annual cross-country day next Friday atop a stretcher carried by six teams of volunteers. The two battlers are looking forward to the challenge.

Joseph was sure he would be encouraging his carriers around the course. "I want them to go fast but not too fast," he said.

Miya, who has previously run the cross-country course, wishes she could be competing under her own steam but is excited about the prospect of being carried by the team of volunteers.

"It should be fun and my dad will be there."

The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter flew Miya from Whangarei Hospital to Starship in Auckland when she became critically ill with rheumatic fever as she had a complete heart block.

Her mother, Nicky Rogers-Pirini, said the dash to Auckland was life saving.

"Looking back I now realise how serious it was.

"She was hooked up to all these monitors and all the doctors had their eyes on the them all the time during the flight."

After months in hospital, the little battler is back on her feet and hoping to be playing netball again next season after only one match this year.

Joseph is thankful the helicopter team were on hand to fly his granny from Dargaville to Whangarei after she suffered a brain aneurism.

His mother, Erica Tebutt, has been behind the fundraiser and wants people to donate to the cause through a give-a-little site that has been set up.

"We wanted to do something for the rescue helicopter which is so important to have in Northland to get people medical attention quickly," she said.

"We also want the kids to learn empathy for other people ... it's important they learn to think about other people."

Teams from Kaipara District Council, Dargaville volunteer firefighters, Top Energy, North Power, Silver Fern Farms and a local Christian group will all be helping on the day to carry the stretchers.

So far the duo have raised $410 on their give-a-little page. If you would like to help go to https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/crosscountryforcharity/