The relay is in memory of Gaiah-Rose Maikuku, raising funds for Ronald McDonald House. Photo: Supplied
A bench seat in memory of Gaiah-Rose Maikuku, 10, will soon overlook Te Awamutu Primary School’s bike track from the hill on the school boundary.
The etching on a plaque will read “Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten”.
The bike track where the relay will take place. Photo: Jesse Wood
That was one of Gaiah-Rose’s favourite quotes from the 2002 Disney film Lilo & Stitch.
Gaiah-Rose died in January after a short battle with lymphoma cancer.
During her time receiving care at Starship Hospital in Auckland, Ronald McDonald House provided the Maikuku family with a place to stay for close to a month – a home away from home during an incredibly difficult time.
“Ronald McDonald House were awesome, without them we probably would’ve sunk,” dad Jason Maikuku said. “There’s no way we would have been able to afford accommodation while we were up there.
“I never knew what Ronald McDonald House was all about. I suppose there’s only one way you really find out and that’s to be in that situation.”
Her school’s community wants to honour Gaiah-Rose and acknowledge the support her family received by giving back in return.
from left, Te Awamutu Primary School principal Sharon Griffiths, dad Jason Maikuku, mum Elsie van Tol and deputy principal Kim Tautari-Scott. Photo: Jesse Wood
They are hosting a fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House starting at 8am next Tuesday. The event, 10-10-10, will be a 10-hour community walking baton relay, celebrating 10 years of life, held on March 10.
Instead of a baton, the walkers will use a colourful wand – something Gaiah-Rose would have loved.
The wand will be passed from walker to walker throughout the day, showing collective support and aroha.
“We would love for members of our wider community to come along and join our Taps (Te Awamutu Primary School) whānau,” deputy principal Kim Tautari-Scott said. “We just need to keep the baton moving on the track for 10 hours.
Buckets on the course on the day will be provided to collect donations and the appeal also has a crowdfunding page online. It had raised more than $17,000 earlier this week.
School principal Sharon Griffiths said all staff members have had a part in designing the day, by posing ideas and voting on the outcome.
“It’s tragic. Especially because it occurred in the summer break, which is usually a time of whānau, holidays, Christmas and all the things that kids find exciting,” Griffiths said. “There was no chance for a farewell or goodbye. It was quite unexpected and sudden.
“The whānau have been so generous, in their darkest times, sharing information with the community so that everybody could follow their journey.
“We wanted to do something to raise funds and decided that Ronald McDonald House not only helped the Maikuku whānau, but it’s also helped staff members who have had grandchildren in Starship or Middlemore, and other families in the community, who might have stayed there,” Griffiths said.
“They’ve had a big impact on Te Awamutu families, even though they’re in Auckland, and it would benefit future families.”
Mum Elsie van Tol said when they had arrived at Ronald McDonald House, they looked in their library. The first book they saw was one written by Taps teacher Amy Harrop.
“We read that to Gaiah and I think she really liked it.”
The family remain part of Taps. Gaiah-Rose’s sister is a student there and another sister is due to start on March 9.
Elsie said they all have no words to describe how grateful they are for the community’s backing.
“The community support, whānau support, all the support has been unreal, unbelievable,” Jason said.
