Running Tauranga Moana

$20,268 donated

Given by 149 generous donors in around 4 months

Running Tauranga Moana, my home, my whānau - to raise awareness around kidney disease in schools and communities of Aotearoa

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga is my Home and as Māori where I Whakapapa to. I belong to Iwi Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui.

Understanding ‘Who I am’ is very important to me and integrated and intertwined into this is my passion for Health and Wellbeing.

On the 13th November I will be running 75km from Bowentown to Mauao to raise awareness around Health and Wellbeing, specifically kidney disease amongst my whānau and people.

For more than 10 years, I have dedicated everything to Health. I studied sports science at uni and worked with Gyms and Health Professionals to equip me with the knowledge I needed.

I have put this knowledge into practise, through Personal Training in both Aotearoa and Australia and helping many amazing people with their Health and Wellness Goals.

For the last two years I have turned my attention and expertise towards my own whānau and people.

Helping whānau live a little healthier through movement and awareness on kai(food) choices. Having experienced all aspects of some of these diseases in my immediate whānau - from the pre diabetic stage of an unhealthy lifestyle, to heart attacks, severe obesity and organ failure.

I am currently in the process of donating a kidney to my father. He has been on dialysis for over 6 years and a kidney now is the only way to keep him alive. This operation will happen after the 75km run.

This run will bring attention to these issues and bring awareness to more communities about what preventative options are available for my people.

Arohanui,

Vyron Smith's involvement (page creator)

I am the donor for my Father who has suffered with renal failure for nearly 7 years. After the transplant I want to help whānau around Aotearoa prevent these types of diseases from happening.

Use of funds

50% to Kidney Health New Zealand and the amazing mahi they have done for whānau around Aotearoa. The other 50% will go towards developing Programs to raise more awareness around these diseases in schools and communities around Aotearoa.