Yahn only has a couple of months to complete his bucket list. [SEE UPDATE]

$5,700 of $5,000 goal

Given by 92 generous donors in around 6 months

Put Yahn on a Gondola, or buy him a beer at the Green Dragon, or let him visit some pretty places, or have a fancy night out.

Rotorua, Bay Of Plenty

+3 images

Please see latest update below.

Original text:

"People know Yahn and Wendy through their involvement in the LARP and Sci-Fi/Fantasy fandom communities. For many years they’ve been steady backbones and nurturing leaders to these spaces.

Since 2019, Yahn has been sick with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and aggressive stage 4 lymphoma, and it is going to kill him. This week the doctors told him that he has two to three months left, max. Wendy has familial adenomatous polyposis. They have had a rough few years; being sick is not for the weak.

We’d like to help Yahn and Wendy share a few more joyful experiences over the next couple of months, and they have been kind enough to write up a bucket list. Some of these items are big, some are small, and many of them depend on Yahn and Wendy’s changing capabilities. The bottom line is that the sooner we can make some of these happen, the better.

The List:

1. Tranz Alpine train trip from Christchurch to Greymouth

2. The Hobbiton and Green Dragon Inn experience

3. Weekend trips to Whakatane, Taupo, maybe Napier

4. Gondola Pass & Meal at Stratosphere

5. Duck Tours (with our granddaughter)

6. The Lakeland Queen, or other Restaurant outing

7. Polynesian hot pools

8. Gaming laptop (the dream!)

9. Make a singing dvd for Wendy.

Yahn and Wendy are good, kind people who simply don’t deserve any of the bad luck that they’ve experienced. We can’t undo their bad luck, but we can materially improve their lives and their remaining time together."

Use of funds

Primarily “bucket-list” items - pleasant experiences that Yahn and Wendy can share together. Besides that, quality-of-life improvements like the adjustable bed.

Remembering Yahn - gathering at Tikitapu Lake, Rotorua. 18 August 2023

Three weeks ago, we had a gathering to remember Yahn, celebrate and honour his life, and share our sadness, and our gratitude for having known him. It was was held at Tikitapu Lake, a place that was very special to Yahn and his family, and where they had spent many happy times. Guests were a mix of people whose lives were touched by Yahn - friends, family, and those from groups he was involved with - including LARPers, and Steampunk and Sci-fi fans who came in costume. It was a cold day, but clear and beautiful.

Members of Yahn’s family hosted the event, and beautifully balanced the solemnity with lightness and humour, and that lovely down-to-earth realness that Yahn also personified. Jordan Henare (Ngāti Whātua ō Ōrakei, ō Kaipara) had been invited, at Yahn's request, to support the event with karakia, mihi and haka; which resonated so wonderfully beside the sacred lake. People from different parts of Yahn's life were given opportunities to stand and speak, sharing stories and experiences.

In keeping with Yahn's love of music, a number of people sang at the event - each with a special piece with unique significance. The gathering closed with a recording of Yahn himself singing 'Tears in Heaven' – a truly precious and poignant moment.

Afterwards people re-convened at Kuirau Park to share food and social time with each other. It was a lovely, relaxed gathering, and lovely knowing that Yahn had brought us together.

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