Talented South Auckland student needs community support to help achieve a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Described as a young man with a positive outlook, a drive to learn and a strong desire to help others, Dataney Pownall has been selected to attend a summer camp in New York.

However, due to the high cost of the associated air fares and insurance the family has turned to the community and local businesses in South Auckland to help fund the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

This includes one business in particular. Century 21 Gold Real Estate in Manurewa has assisted this family in the past selling their home and has taken a particular interest in this story.

“This is an amazing family, Carol (Dataney’s Mum), is an inspiration to working mothers. A solo mum working her butt off to ensure her kids don’t become another South Auckland statistic is an inspiration to others and after meeting with Dataney I can attest she’s doing a great job” says Century 21 Gold Manurewas principal Derryn Mayne.

“I first met Carol and her kids four years ago when I listed their home for sale. Through social media I’ve kept in contact with Carol and was really excited to get on board and help raise awareness” says Derryn.  

“He has embraced every moment of this journey and taken every opportunity to better himself,” says his mother, Carol Pownall.

Dataney is just 14 years old but has already achieved much in both in his education and in the community with hard work and dedication. During his time at Dilworth Boys Boarding he was elected Head Boy of the campus, head of house and he had a role on the student council. He also won a number of the schools and regional areas speech competitions and also achieved the Principals All-Rounder Choice Award for 2016.

Dataney gets actively involved in his community by entertaining the elderly at rest homes, helping out at his primary school during the midterm breaks and is currently working on a community project to share some Bible teachings on a Christian radio station while also speaking at a youth group.

“He will make a positive difference in the world by putting ' his' mark on it through the experiences he is exposed to. I would love to give him more experiences and are asking for help to put this deserving young man on that airplane!,” adds Carol Pownall.

This is great opportunity for the community and local businesses to donate to Dataney’s trip.

Century 21 Gold Real Estate are starting the ball rolling today with a $200 donation and challenge other businesses, particularly those in Real Estate to match this contribution. Come on everyone get behind Dataney and send him to New York. Click the link below:

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/carolturner4dataney