DIABETES NEW ZEALAND

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Every step for DIABETES: Susan's Story

Methven locals Susan and Bruce Dickson went on a mission last year. Known locally for their community spirit, the busy pair upped their training and flew off to Tromsø, Norway, to compete in the Midnight Sun Half Marathon.

June in Tromsø is mid-summer, when the sun never sets. So, when Susan, Bruce, and another 6000 runners from around the world started their run at 10.30pm and finished in the early hours of the following day, they did it all in bright sunshine.

As the National President of the Catholic Women's League of Aotearoa New Zealand (CWLANZ), Susan was heading to Europe for a General Assembly of Catholic Women’s Organisations. ‘Over the past few years, Bruce and I have travelled around the world on trips built around running destinations. True to form, I looked for an event to enter. I found the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø.’

As the name suggests, CWLANZ is an organisation of Catholic women. Although they have branches across much of NZ, it is a relatively small organisation. Every year, each branch is encouraged to hold fundraising and information or promotional activities. The aim of this is to raise around $10,000 each year and to lift the profile of each recipient organisation. Each year, the CWLANZ National Board chooses an organisation to be their ‘At Home Appeal’ recipients. The Board has an interest in organisations that foster the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people within New Zealand. The criteria included that the organisation be family – children/young people – or women-centred, that it rely on community funding rather than government funding, and that it is a good fit with the CWL core values. Nominations are put forward by members.

RAISING AWARENESS, PROMOTION AND FUNDRAISING

In 2023, Diabetes New Zealand’s Youth’s programme – Live Brave Mana Ora – was thrilled to be the chosen recipient. Susan and Bruce both wore the ‘Every Step for Diabetes’ t-shirts when running around town while they were training. ‘I feel it did help people to identify with what I was doing and raised the profile along with my other activities. A couple of people stopped me to say they loved what I was doing as they had type 1.’

Read the full story in our Autumn 2024 edition of Diabetes Wellness magazine, available both in print and online. Sign up here to receive your own copy!

Find out more about fundraising for Diabetes New Zealand