Thousand kilometre ride for charity
our house story
August 2009
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Auckland-based Contract Manager Roger Honeybun will cycle the length of New Zealand early next year to raise awareness of asthma.
Roger was inspired following the death of his nine-year old great-nephew Sean after a severe asthma episode. Sean’s mother still lives in a Corporation house in New Plymouth.
Originally, he thought the ride would be a “personal challenge”.
“After thinking about it, I thought as well as taking on the cycling challenge by riding 1001 kilometres in nine days, I could ‘rattle a bucket’ along the way to raise awareness of asthma and funds for Asthma New Zealand,” he said.
Roger, who is a runner more than a cyclist, chose to ride the length of the country simply because it was “too far to run”.
“As somebody who has never suffered from any sort of infirmity, I was amazed that in this day and age children were still dying of this incredibly common affliction,” said Roger.
When he approached Asthma New Zealand to gain their permission, they were so keen on the idea they have decided to use Roger’s ride as their major fundraising and awareness campaign for 2010.
The Asthma New Zealand mobile asthma clinic will move from town to town along the route of the ride offering free asthma advice. A team of trained asthma nurse educators will operate the clinic. The ride is also being supported by a number of sponsors.
“As a member of a maintenance team, I have a very good idea of the results of the scourge of asthma and other lung diseases, and the good work being done by the Healthy Housing Programme,” said Roger.
“This ride gives me an opportunity to not only raise awareness and funds for Asthma New Zealand but also offers people a chance to gain information and assistance by visiting the mobile clinic along the way.”
Roger is hoping the ride, scheduled to start at Christchurch in March next year, will raise around $80,000 for Asthma New Zealand.
Linda Thompson, from Asthma New Zealand, said the campaign has the potential to have a huge impact on the community and ongoing assistance and support with research and education about asthma in New Zealand.
“It will help us to empower people with asthma to take control and manage their asthma. This will further support families to take the necessary steps for home management and, in turn, reduce hospitalisations and re-admissions for asthma, time off work and school.”
Asthma facts
• Asthma affects one in four children in New Zealand.
• Asthma affects one in six adults in New Zealand.
• It is estimated that it costs the country over $1 billion dollars annually.
• Asthma does kill.