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.
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.
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.
Thank you 4 February 2026
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of kindness, generosity, and support shown to Riley and his family. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the page, sent messages, or reached out — it truly means more than we can put into words.
The love and support from friends, family, and the wider community has been overwhelming, and it brings so much comfort knowing Riley, Chris, Sally, and Belle are not facing this alone.
We will continue to update this page as we can throughout Riley’s treatment journey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with this family 🤍
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