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Roncalli College, Timaru - Awa Run 2024

$700 donated

Given by 10 generous donors in around 7 months

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Fundraising to reduce educational inequality in Aotearoa by running the length of the Whanganui River

Nationwide

Nau mai ki te Awa Run! For the fourth time, students from schools in the National Network of Marist Schools (NNMS) will be running 102km over three days to help reduce educational inequality in Aotearoa.

The Awa Run was started by Cullinane College (Whanganui) in 2017 and to date has raised over $25,000 to support the work of ‘Next Door’, a programme that partners with remote communities to provide further educational opportunities for their rangatahi.

Across three days, around 60 year ten students and staff will run from Raetihi to Whanganui along the beautiful and historic Whanganui River Road. Participants will be running 20km daily in ‘legs’ of 5km at a time. The Whanganui River Road is remote, rugged, and isolated. It begins by Mount Ruapehu and twists and turns its way down to Pipiriki, where it then follows alongside the Whanganui River ‘Te Awa Tupua’ before the final run into Cullinane College.

While students will be challenged by the sheer physical endurance needed to complete the event, they will also be supported by local hapori and marae that will house, feed, and educate them on the history of the local area.

E rere kau mai te awa nui

Mai I te Kāhui Maunga ki Tangaroa

Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au!

As the river flows from the mountain to the sea,

I am the river, and the river is me!

Thank you for your support! 6 December 2024

We can’t believe the Awa Run 2024 has wrapped up—we’re still buzzing from the event!

The students were nothing short of amazing. They pushed through blisters, heat, rain, and fatigue with resilience and determination, and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.

The heart of the Awa Run lies in every student who takes part, fostering a deep connection with the awa and fundraising to further our mission. None of this would have been possible without your incredible support, and for that, we are deeply grateful.

This year, we set an ambitious fundraising goal of $20,000, a significant jump from last year. To say we are overwhelmed is an understatement—we’ve raised an extraordinary $38,242.70! This generosity will make a profound difference, helping provide educational opportunities to young people who might not otherwise have access to them.

A huge thank you goes out to Cullinane College, the kai crew, Te Puke Marae, Hiruhārama (Patiarero) Marae, Parikino Marae, and the wider Awa community for your unwavering support.

We also want to acknowledge our incredible sponsors who contributed in so many ways throughout the week:

ANZCO Foods

Countdown Taupo Quay

SuperValue Gonville

New World

The Warehouse

Pak’nSave Whanganui

Affco Imlay

Higgins Egg Farm

Whanganui Produce

Yarrows Bread Manaia

Bay Prince Whānau