Look what one one boy can do

HOISTED HIGH: Travis Burrows was the toast of his schoolmates after last week's heroic fundraising marathon.

Abundant Life School (Kaitaia) principal Mark Tan has four words for those who do not believe in the power of the individual - "Look at Travis Burrows."

The Year 10 pupil had resolved to do what he could to help an ailing 5-year-old schoolmate, who had been admitted to Starship Hospital, and her family, even though he didn't know them personally. So on a very hot Wednesday afternoon he ran 101 laps of the school field, starting at 12.20pm and finishing right on the 3pm bell.

"He walked a few laps but ran most of them," a very proud Mr Tan said, but he wasn't alone. Other pupils joined him at various stages, and even a campaigning NZ First leader Winston Peters had dropped by.

Sponsorship ranged from donations to $2 over lap, from locals to supporters in the South Island, and by the time it was all over Travis had raised more than $1500.

"He got to meet the young student and her family last week," Mr Tan added.

"That was a special time, just amazing. And Travis is amazing too. He's an example of Kaitaia's youth and teenagers helping others - one kid, doing what he could.

"I was just blown away by this. A teenager thinking about helping another person, without any personal gain. Far too often this town, this country, is drenched with stories of teenagers running amok, being threatening, damaging, angry. Yet here I saw first-hand an example of what our teenagers can be."