Papakura embracing major challenge of 2019 before Relay for Life event kicked

The south Auckland club’s SAS Fox Memorial Premiership side are taking part in the Relay for Life event, which is being held at the Pukekohe Showgrounds on March 23-24.

The Papakura Sea Eagles are embracing their first major challenge of 2019, and it comes before a ball has even been kicked this season.

The south Auckland club’s SAS Fox Memorial Premiership side are taking part in the Relay for Life event, which is being held at the Pukekohe Showgrounds on March 23-24.

Relay for Life is an 18-hour fundraising event where teams take part in a walking or running relay, all in the name of raising vital funds to support Kiwis with cancer.

For Papakura team manager Carmen Taplin, the cause has a special place in her heart.

“My daughter passed away from leukaemia when she was four and a half, and my husband Spencer, who is the head coach of the team, had his mum pass away from cancer when he was 17, so we have both been touched deeply by cancer,” Taplin said.

“We want to show our boys in the team how good it is to give back. We’ve done Relay for Life before and saw it as an awesome opportunity to connect more with our boys off the field

“We’ve done a few raffles and organised a few different things so far.

“There are some great people in our community who are wanting to help so we are encouraging everyone to come on board and support the cause as part of our team.”

Cancer Society marketing manager Paul Hayes said it was great to see the club take such an interest in the event.

“We are delighted to have the Papakura Sea Eagles at Relay For Life,” he said.

“Cancer touches so many people in our community and one of the special aspects of this event is the rich diversity of people and groups coming together.

“While we expect the Sea Eagles will be impressing us with their running through the event, there are many who will play their part by walking a few laps. It’s an event where everyone does their bit to make a difference for those with cancer.”