Missing Wingman Trust Fundraiser

My name is Sergeant Ryan Turei and I am a current serving member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). Serving my country is one of the best ways I can give back to the people and country of Aotearoa. I understand the pressures placed on servicemen and women to perform their duties day in day out whether at home or abroad. Leaving loved ones behind in order to complete our mission is never easy and comes at times with great cost and sacrifice to the family members left behind. The Missing Wingman Trust supports the RNZAF family. It is the only charity in New Zealand that supports military families when someone is killed, wounded, injured, or becomes ill overseas or at home. The charity extends beyond servicemen and women to any member of their family.

The trust was established in 2009 in the wake of a number of tragic deaths in the RNZAF. All of these members leaving behind loved ones some as young as four months. More recently, a junior member of the RNZAF had a stillborn baby and was unable to afford a headstone for their little girl. In many of these cases, the trust stepped in to support family members. For me as a father of two children both under 3 and having lost a baby of our own, these stories profoundly affected me so I wanted to do something about it.

As someone that is new to the world of endurance sport and ultramarathon running the prospect of running 100km is daunting. Something which I have never done! So with the help of a rough training plan, advice from athletes, friends, and a ton of grit and determination I am going to run the Taupo Ultramarathon 100km race to raise money for the Missing Wingman Trust.

I know that the trust would be there to support my family if required and I know that the trust and the families the trust currently supports need help.

Servicemen and women support New Zealand every day without thanks or fanfare. They and their families need your help. We realise that times are tough right now and in the changing economic environment there is no such thing as loose change or spare cash. All we can do is sincerely ask that you support this mission by donating to this fundraising effort. If you are unable to donate we would love your support by sharing this page and our mission on social media or by word of mouth.

A little support can make all the difference.

We have set no financial target simply a deadline of 11 October 2020, the day after the race day.

Your donations will be used for things like:

Paying medical expenses.

Repairing homes.

Providing scholarships.

Providing support in times of grief.