Fundraiser!

I had never heard about Inflammatory Bowel Disease until I was diagnosed in February 2021. After multiple tests, scans, procedures, doctors finally diagnosed me with Crohn’s Disease. As a 15-year-old, I didn’t really know how to process having a chronic illness. I just carried on my usual routine of schoolwork, participating in sport and my rostered weekend of volunteer lifeguarding in the summer of 2021/2022 with the usual ups and downs that comes with Crohn's disease.

Little did I know things were going to get worse. Bleeding, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, fistulas, weight loss (20 kgs) which resulted in a feeding tube being inserted. Not a good look for a teenage boy.

Wanting to learn how to deal with all of this and needing to know I wasn't alone I did some research. I found Camp Purple Live and thought this would be a great opportunity to be with others my age that understood how life is with a chronic illness. I discovered that it was paid by Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand. 

As a family we decided that we should contribute and schedule a fundraiser for Camp Purple Live 2023. A sausage sizzle was planned. Belinda Brown, the CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand, confirmed she would come from Auckland and help us out. This was very exciting to know that a CEO would actually make the time to help out and actually be a kind and wonderful person. We were also joined by Peter Warren, the Whangarei Ambassador. It felt great to be with people that related to my situation. 

We had perfect weather which made it a good day for shoppers and was therefore a very successful fundraiser with the help of Mum, Dad and my Aunty who was a pro in selling raffles for a $100.00 note.

Some people insisted we keep their change and some just donated, very generous of them. Overall, the total raised from the fundraiser was $622.10. I would like to say a big thank you to all who helped at the fundraiser. I believe the day went really well! I would also like to thank Mitre 10 Mega, Whangarei for the use of their Community BBQ and Pak’ N Save Whangarei for their generous donation of $150.00 for supplies. This wouldn’t have happened without their help.

We thought that fundraising for Camp Purple Live 2023 was a way to give back. We are very grateful to the volunteers who dedicate their time to help patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and who try their absolute best to make lives more liveable. Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand has helped me a lot with acceptance and the realisation that I’m not alone. 

If you would like to fundraise for Camp Purple Live or for Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand Charitable Trust, please email Belinda on info@crohnsandcolitis.org.nz