Together for Riley
This page is a way for friends, family, and community to stand behind Riley and his whānau during his osteosarcoma treatment journey.
Hawke's Bay
Riley is a determined 12-year-old whose world revolves around sport — especially cricket and football — games he not only loves but truly excels at. He has recently been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer that affects only around 4–5 children in New Zealand each year. This diagnosis has gutted and shocked us all, turning our lives upside down as we face what lies ahead for Riley and his family.
For his parents, Chris and Sally, and his sister Belle, everything changed in an instant. Riley is now facing months of intensive treatment, including long hospital stays and specialist care, with time spent in Starship Hospital for approximately 12 months. At just 12 years old, life should be about school, mates, and time on the sports fields — not hospital wards and treatment plans.
Chris and Sally’s focus is entirely on supporting Riley through treatment while also being there for Belle. Alongside the emotional toll comes significant financial pressure — time off work, travel, accommodation, and everyday living costs that don’t pause during this journey.
This Givealittle page has been set up to help ease some of that burden so the family can focus on what matters most: Riley’s treatment, recovery, and time together.
Riley — we are all here behind you. Your family, friends, and community are standing with you every step of the way.
Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Rebecca Christie's involvement (page creator)
Chris and Sally are very close friends of mine and watching what their family is about to face has been incredibly hard. This page has been created with their blessing, from a place of love, to help support them through Riley’s treatment.
Use of funds
Funds raised will help support Riley and his family with the very real costs that come with long-term cancer treatment, including time off work, travel, accommodation, parking, meals, and everyday household expenses while Riley undergoes treatment.
Latest update
Update from the Burch's 16 February 2026
Kia ora everyone,
We wanted to share a little update on Riley’s osteosarcoma treatment journey and, most importantly, to say thank you. We are blown away by the generosity, kindness and support shown to our whānau. Every message, donation and act of encouragement has meant more than we can put into words.
Your support has allowed us to focus fully on Riley without the added financial pressure of taking time away from work to care for him. Knowing we can be by his side through this without that constant worry is an incredible gift, and we are so deeply grateful.
It’s been a very big couple of weeks. Riley has had multiple tests and scans, surgeries, and is adjusting to being fed full time through an NG tube. He is also learning to get around using a wheelchair while beginning chemotherapy and managing everything that comes with it. It’s a huge amount for anyone, let alone a young person.
Despite everything, Riley continues to amaze us with his strength and resilience. We are so incredibly proud of him.
We’ve now been able to return home/hastings hospital for a short time before heading back to Starship soon for his next round of chemo. It was very special for Riley to be welcomed home by his cricket teammates at the airport.
Thank you for standing with us. Your generosity is helping carry us through this journey more than you know. 💛
With love,
Chris, Sally, Riley and Belle
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