Whenuapai to Ohakea Charity Relay

Keeping fit and active is part of life in the Air Force; the challenge is finding different ways to maintain and improve on it.

Staff at Ohakea’s Maintenance Support Squadron have found a way and will challenge themselves to run non-stop from Whenuapai to Ohakea.

But the run is not only about fitness. It is about team and community spirit and raising funds for Make-A-Wish® New Zealand.

"We, as a team, have confidence in completing the run and hope that with public support we raise enough money to change the lives of more than one child. The run is more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Believing in your chosen charity is the difference between an event like this working or not," says Sergeant Ian Richards

Before leaving the Royal Air Force to join the RNZAF, Ian raised money through solo walks and other events for several charity groups in the UK. On arrival in New Zealand he was keen to continue doing this, particularly if it can make a visible difference to a child’s life.

The runners started from the Whenuapai Air Base at 9:00am on Tuesday 20 November and plan to reach Ohakea 54 hours later on Thursday 22 November.

Each runner will complete 5km before passing the baton to the next runner. Runners will complete around 40km each in the 54 hour period.

RNZAF Recruiters, supported by a RNZAF 3 Sqn Iroquois helicopter, will be on hand in Taupo on Wednesday 21 November between 11:00am – 3:00pm to add their support to the cause.

Make-A-Wish® New Zealand was launched in 1987. The charitable trust strives to grant the one cherished wish of each eligible child with a life-threatening illness who has reached the age of 3 years and is under the age of 18.