With Round the Bays fast approaching, a group of runners are setting the pace with their fundraising efforts for the Family Camp programme at YMCA Camp Adair Hunua.
Each year thousands turn out for New Zealand’s largest fun run and walk on the first Sunday of March. Participants have the option to fundraise for a cause of their choice. In 2017, over $1,000 has already been raised to help send a family to YMCA’s iconic Camp Adair.
YMCA’s Family Camp programme is a weekend of cabin-based camping and activities that provides families an opportunity to spend quality time together.
Helen Hugglestone, YMCA Auckland’s Family Camp coordinator, says camping is a much-loved Kiwi tradition but not all families are fortunate enough to have the experience.
“Financial pressures, work and our increasingly busy lives means not everyone is able to easily carve out the time, space and finances required to spend quality time together as a family.
“Family Camp brings family members together in one place, away from technology and other distractions to engage in fun, recreational activities in the great outdoors at Camp Adair.”
Fundraising efforts enable YMCA to send several families to camp each year. The busy Helu family of 10 attended Family Camp in 2016. Quality family time is rare for all members of the family - the Helu parents have young children to care for, 16 year old Tatila travels a long distance to school every morning and must leave at 6am, and 13 year old Kanavale is a boarder and only home at weekends.
Teenagers Tatila and Kanavale say sharing stories and spending time together at the YMCA Family Camp was one of the best experiences of their lives.
Support Family Camp by sponsoring one of this year’s Round the Bays runners fundraising for the YMCA Send a Family to Camp cause. Visit the Everyday Hero page to donate.
Find out more about YMCA's Family Camp.