Pushing a 4200kg police paddy wagon around the Trafalgar Centre carpark was all part of the challenge for a group of Nelson students on Saturday.
After eight weeks of early starts, 22 young people from across the region put themselves through hours of physical and mental challenges for the Longest Day, the culminating event of the CACTUS programme.
The day began at the crack of dawn at the Nelson College for Girls gym. From there they headed to Victory Boxing, before making their way over the hill to Tāhunanui Beach for drills.
They then ran back along Rocks Rd to Rutherford Park, where pushing the police wagon was among the challenges awaiting them, before returning to the gym for graduation, awards and a well-earned feed.
CACTUS (Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support) is a nationwide programme aimed at building resilience, leadership and teamwork in young people through physical training and personal development.
For the past eight weeks, students from Nelson College, Nelson College for Girls, Nayland College and Waimea College have met three mornings a week under instructor Kate Kempthorne, who has a military background.
The programme is run by Blue Light Nelson Bays in partnership with Nelson Bays Police Prevention, with Sport Tasman coming on board as a major sponsor. Its support will help secure another six CACTUS programmes.
Nelson City Council and Port Nelson are also key supporters, providing connections with organisations that could offer future pathways and opportunities for the young people involved.
The programme brings together students from across the region and aims to build relationships between young people, police, community organisations and whānau.
Waimea College joined the programme for the first time this year and young people can also take part through pathways involving Police Youth Aid, youth justice and Oranga Tamariki.
The programme stopped during the Covid-19 lockdown period before being revived, with Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay supporting its return as part of Nelson Bays Police’s prevention work.
A team of volunteers from the organisations involved also turns up for the 5.55am sessions each week to support the students and instructor.
Among them is Matty Anderson, who helped with Friday training sessions, including morning runs and circuits.
Matty, who spent 20 years in the Navy, was volunteering with CACTUS for the second year.
He says it was impressive to see how the students stuck with the programme, progressing from being “tired, nervous and anxious” to “happy and engaged”.
“Even the way they walk and hold themselves... their whole demeanour was amazing”.
He also noticed the teamwork that developed during the eight weeks.
“They turned up and worked hard. They all gelled together really well.”
The Longest Day finished with graduation and prizegiving, including the Spirit of CACTUS and merit awards.
