#Mauaoathon4Inno

Mauaoathon Fundraiser for Innocence Henry, 8 May 2021 (from sunrise to sunset)

Kia ora whanau

On the 8 May 2021 a wellness group ‘Tama Tu’ will be raising funds for 14 year old Matapihi teenager, Innocence Henry. “Inno” who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma Cancer on New Year’s Eve 2020. The group, along with some of Rebecca’s whanau and friends will be scaling Mauao from sunrise to sunset in order to raise money and awareness. All money raised will be to provide financial support to her whanau for the ongoing travel and living costs for the next 9 months of treatment.

Innocence “Inno" is a student at Te Wharekura O Mauao and a past student of Te Kura o Matapihi. Innocence comes from a close and caring whanau, her mum Rebecca and dad Harry Ngatai have had to put their lives on hold while they travel to and from Auckland for treatment. Inno has just finished her 8th round of chemo and will need further ongoing chemo. On the 1st of April she had to have her left centre toe amputated in order to remove the cancer.

Rebecca and her whanau (Mane and Kathy Ngatai) are well known in the Matapihi and Tauranga community as they are always there to support others. Rebecca said it is a very strange and unfamiliar feeling being in the situation where they now need support.

“We are taking this day by day on this journey with our Innocence, we hope whanau can support in any which way, big or small your kindness, aroha and support is greatly appreciated.”

The Tama Tu’s who will be walking up Mauao to raise money are a collective of people from all walks of life, ages and culture who follow the whakatauki “Tama Tu Tama ora - if we are active we will be well". Many of them connect to Mauao and regularly scale the maunga. More than 12 of the group are taking up the challenge to participate in the Mauaoathon. Inno’s whanau and friends will also participate and those that cannot scale the Maunga will walk around in support.

Our first objective is to raise money for this special cause, the second is to promote and role model hauora, thirdly we will strengthen our connection to Mauao.

All participants will be authorised via Hemi as the lead of the Tama Tu’s.

Nga mihi aroha Hemi Rolleston and Rebecca Ngatai-Henry

Another page for Innocence here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/innocences-journey-with-salcoma-cancer