The Cancer Society’s annual fundraiser, The Longest Day Golf Challenge, is underway and will see hundreds of keen golfers around the country complete a golf marathon of either 72 or 36 holes to raise funds for people living with cancer.
Hamilton resident, Marcel Rumney, accepted the challenge and his team, Just Tap It In, played 36 holes at Ngaruawahia Golf Course.
“We’re amateur golfers so it was a long day. We were out there for 10 hours but it was really fun,” says Rumney.
The Longest Day is a golfing endurance event that tests the skill and stamina of its participants with the challenge to complete four rounds of golf in one day. The event takes advantage of the increased sunlight hours during summer, but participants can take part on any day in December or January.
“The Longest Day is a great way to challenge yourself in a sport you love while also contributing to what we do,” says Cancer Society Event Specialist, Van Kilburn.
“In the Waikato, we help people get to and from their treatment so they don’t need to rely on others or drive themselves. We have nurses providing support in the community and we have accommodation at the Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge for when treatment is required at Waikato Hospital. Everyone that participates in The Longest Day is helping to keep those services going.”
“On the outside, people don’t know how much it’s costing the organisation to provide these services. They think they the Cancer Society get direct government funding but they don’t,” says Rumney.
“I’ve lost an auntie, an uncle and a grandfather to cancer. So to help fundraise, it’s basically a nice way to give back to them.”
It’s not too late to get involved. Choose the day, the course, and the team – or play solo if you prefer. To register and find out more about The Longest Day Golf Challenge, visit www.longestday.org.nz