Skier to compete in Ironman

I am having my first summer in many years due to Covid. Last year I was overseas competing for Aotearoa New Zealand on the Freeride World Tour. This year I have decided as a personal challenge to take on the Ironman 70.3 race in Taupo on the 6th of March. It's in 8 days time and will be a real test of my physical and mental strength.

I have decided to start this page to fundraise for Boys Alive while I take on the challenge.

The programmes are designed for young men who may have a lack of positive male role models, behavioural difficulties, or issues around anger, emotion, relationships, communication, or self-esteem.

This organisation has developed a new programme called “Boys Alive in schools”. It is a transition programme for 8 sessions that helps student who are in Year 8 to move to Year 9. The main goal is that all these students enrol in a high school and continue their education. This programme is divided in two parts: 5 sessions when boys are in intermediate and they learn strategies to be prepared before they go to high school. Such as, visiting the school before they go there, building social skills with others, how to respect teachers, and organising the way they study.

The second part is 3 sessions when they are in high school, and assisting them with additional support and helping them with situations they are struggling with. There are some schools interested to run this programme, but currently there is not enough funding.

The overarching objective is to create role models and reduce violence by increasing connection, compassion and communication in communities. Through helping boys learn to take responsibility for their thoughts, feelings and actions as well as some strategies to control their anger, I believe this, like anything, can be achieved.