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Published on 11 March 2026
This Friday, Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale will be collecting donations on behalf of the Child Cancer Foundation at Woolworths Ōamaru between midday and 2pm.
Every dollar goes towards supporting families who receive the heartbreaking news that their child has cancer. The Child Cancer Foundation is there every step of the way providing emotional, practical and financial support.
Mayor Tavendale said: “Doing what we can, and giving what we can afford, to support families who have a child diagnosed with cancer is an extremely worthwhile cause. This challenge puts me in friendly competition with my Mayoral colleagues. I know Waitakians have a big heart, and hope we can do our bit to support the Child Cancer Foundation this week”
The Mayoral Challenge was started in 2025 by the former Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult, who is also a patron of the Child Cancer Foundation. The challenge has been taken up by his successor Mayor John Glover, and other Mayors in New Zealand.
Last year’s ‘winners’ were the Mackenzie District, although the real winners are the families who’ll be supported through a difficult time thanks to these donations.
You can donate by texting WAITAKI to 3457 to donate $3 or drop some coins in the collection bucket this Friday afternoon. You can also donate directly at childcancer.org.nz
ENDS
media@waitaki.govt.nz