Sue Franklyn is raising money for the Child Cancer Foundation, who have supported her family. Photo / Ben Fraser
Sue Franklyn is raising money for the Child Cancer Foundation, who have supported her family. Photo / Ben Fraser
Sue Franklyn doesn't wish her journey on any other parent, but if fate hands them the same card as her, she wants to do her bit to help them out.
It's been 10 years since her teenage daughter Dianne (pictured on front cover) died of cancer, and she'd still do anything to support the Child Cancer Foundation who supported her and her family.
"They are wonderful. They are there when you need them in the middle of the night, they hold your hand, cry with you and laugh with you."
From now on, Mrs Franklyn and husband Tony's Rotorua business Franklyn Scrap Metals, will have a bin out front for people to dump their scrap metal, with all the proceeds going to the foundation.
As part of the One Day in July fundraising campaign, they'll also match the proceeds from one day in July.
For Mrs Franklyn it is a way of giving back to the organisation which has continued to support her since Dianne died, at just 15.
Dianne initially saw a doctor when her daughter was 11 with pain in her leg. It took six months before the diagnosis came - she had a tumour on the bottom of her tail bone, and by the time of the diagnosis it was growing.
The picture always looked bleak and the family chose "quality of life".
Mrs Franklyn said the Child Cancer Foundation had been there every step of the way and the support didn't end when Dianne died.
They still attend the parents' dinners, and while she doesn't go out of her way to provide advice, if other families ask how they deal with different things, she's there to tell them.
"You have to take it one day at a time. You can't focus too much ahead.
"No parent is supposed to bury their child," she said.
"You either hold your head up and think my child is going to live through us, or you let it destroy you."
Sue Franklyn's daughter Dianne.
She described Dianne, nicknamed DD, as "funny, bossy and determined but beautiful and caring".
The youngest of six girls, she ruled the roost at home.
"She never asked 'why me'? She went from this kid who wanted to be a Silver Fern to spending her last days in a wheelchair."
Mrs Franklyn said they knew how important money was for the organisation.
"Seeing those kids, you can't put a price on a smile.
"A little bit of happiness in a day, that is a priceless gift."
Businesses who wanted to donate bulk or heavy weight scrap metal could call the business directly.
All metals, including vehicle batteries, can be donated, but nothing dangerous like gas cylinders will be accepted.
Other businesses or schools who want to accept the One Day challenge in July can go to www.childcancer.org.nz for more information.
How you can help: •Take all your scrap metal to Franklyn's Scrap Metal in View Rd, place in the specially marked bin, and all proceeds will be donated to the Child Cancer Foundation (CCF). •Create your own "one day" event - Get together with your friends/workmates/students/whanau to register. •Look for ideas and inspiration and register at www.childcancer.org.nz.
