Off with a hiss and a roar again this weekend on an 86km money-spinner for two of the region’s charitable superstars.
The Mowsworth Rampage on 18 October has around 51 registered participants with 35 bladeless ride-on lawnmowers from as far away as Timaru.
They’ll be in full throttle with support crew in convoy from Molesworth Cob Cottage to Hanmer Springs at a top speed of 15kmh to fuel funds for Nelson Tasman Hospice and Cancer Society Nelson Tasman.
At first a wacky idea by the event’s brainchild, Stuart Newport, to cross the gravel trail set among the tussock surrounds using the outdoor machines as the mode of transport, he converted it into a charity case.
“Every single person is affected or touched in some way by [cancer], and has involvement with those two organisations [Hospice and Cancer Society], so let’s do a 50/50,” he says.
“I think last year was a huge success, and our target last year was $30,000, which I thought was a large task, and as much as I hoped that we would get there, I didn’t think we would, but we got to $68,000 last year.”
$100,000 is the ambition in 2025.
Stuart says the last mower trundled into Hanmer Springs 12 and a half hours after the shotgun start, which included three pit stops along the Molesworth Track.
He says the period also drives participants to ponder the challenging journeys endured by cancer patients - some participants this year are on that very journey.
“We had a lot of comments last year from people at the lunch stop or even at the event in Hanmer at the end of the day around how it had given them a lot of time to think about their loved ones who might have passed or going through cancer or other illness at the moment,” he says.
“Putting up with a bit of a sore butt, and a bit of dust in the eye for 12 hours sort of pales in comparison.
“We do have with us this year a number of people that are in that situation where they have cancer, and some are terminal, which is wonderful to have them with us and share some good times with them at this point in their struggle.”
One of those cancer patients is Craig Hewson who lives in Richmond. He was diagnosed with kidney and bowel cancer last year and after operations that removed one kidney and part of his bowel, was told no further treatment was required.
Around five months ago, he was informed that the cancer had spread to his lungs and was terminal.
“I think there’s more of [cancer] out there than we actually know,” he says.
“The support I’ve had for my cancer from Nelson Hospital… It’s been absolutely top-notch… and both the Nelson Cancer Society and Nelson Hospice do the most amazing work, and I have witnessed both firsthand.
“I have kids who are involved in this challenge in many supporting roles, and also my best friend and his son from Canterbury are taking part [in the Mowsworth Rampage] in support of me and the cause.”
Stuart says the Mowsworth Rampage fundraising pages for the individuals and teams taking part will remain open for around three weeks after the event.
Visit www.mowsworthrampage.co.nz to donate.
