Students from the Hamilton based Elite School of Beauty and Spa will participate in an all-day massage marathon to support Tyson Hollran through his battle with cancer.
When The News first met Tyson in February, the 12-year-old was in remission and was getting ready to beat cancer for good. In April, when he was just months away from completing treatment for his acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, he relapsed.
Tyson with mum and dad, Awhi and Alex. Photo: Benjamin Wilson
On Sunday, 100 students from Elite will offer 10-minute massages for $10, from 9 am to 7 pm at the school’s Bryce Street campus. All profits are to go to Tyson and his family.
The Melville Sports Club will also support Tyson on Sunday, by hosting a barbeque and fundraising.
Elite campus manager Krissy Witehira arranged the fundraiser.
She got to know Tyson and his family through the Melville Rugby Club and was his sister’s netball coach at Melville Intermediate.
“A couple of us really wanted to do a sports day for him, but he ended up getting too sick and we couldn’t do it,” she said.
“I thought well, I am the campus manager at Elite, its winter, let’s do 10-minute massages for $10.”
Krissy said when she pitched the idea of a massage marathon to her students, they instantly jumped at the chance to help.
Helping hands – students, from left, Aimee McGregor, Hannah Sikking, manager Krissy Witehira, Shayla Officer, Ashleigh Miers, Ang Bolger and Amanda Howells. Photo: Supplied
She hopes around 200 people will turn up on Sunday to support Tyson.
Some people who could ot attend had already pledged to make a donation.
“The main thing is, Tyson will look at this live and he will know that it is for him,” Krissy said.
“If he can have a smile on his face on the day… that is all I care about. That is enough for me.”
A Facebook page for the massage marathon fundraiser can be found online.
