LIAM'S JOURNEY

BOWMAN TODD MEMORIAL – Fundraiser for the Mary Potter Hospice and Ronald McDonald House. On the 19^th of May 2006 Matt Todd, a young Kapiti Coast father of two, lost his battle with a brain tumour.  He was 34 years old.  Five weeks later on the 25^th of June, his friend Dave Bowman, also a young Kapiti Coast father of two, lost his battle with a brain tumour.  He was 36 years old.   They both fought long and hard against a debilitating and cruel illness. Both Dave and Matt were cared for in their final days by the wonderful staff at the Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington.  The staff there treated them with dignity and respect.  The Hospice staff are truly very remarkable people. The Hospice receives a mere two million dollars in Government funding per year to operate and relies heavily on donations. Tragically, on the 16th of April this year, Matthews 7 year old son, Liam was diagnosed with an aggressive malignant tumour located in his sinus cavity. He is being treated in Christchurch by a wonderful team of Doctors. Liam and his family have been staying at Ronald McDonald House. They describe it as a fantastic place to be during such a difficult time and would love for fundraising from this years event to benefit the organisation. On the 10th of May 2008, the BOWMAN TODD memorial rugby match is scheduled to be played at Waikanae Park at 1.15pm.  This is an annual event in memory of Dave and Matt and all funds raised will be donated to the Mary Potter Hospice and, in light of Liam’s recent diagnosis, Ronald McDonald House.  The game will involve a Police Invitational team, as Dave was a Policeman, versus a Waikanae invitational team, as Matt was heavily involved with the Waikanae Rugby Club.  There will be an air castle, Police puppy display and the operational Police Dogs will be performing a chase and attack display at half time. A large Marquee will be on site in the event of poor weather and food and drink sales will benefit the charities. There will be some great prizes to be won too! The Waikanae Hotel are also supporting this event and have organised a night out not to be missed. A live band will be playing in the Murphy’s Law Bar and proceeds from certain drinks sales will benefit the charities. This will get under way from 7pm on the same Saturday, May 10. Public support will be crucial to make the day a success for the charities, the teams, the supporters and the families involved. We would love to see you at Waikanae Park and afterward at Murphys Law Bar for a fundraising event that will be a lot of fun and benefit a great cause. If you would like to support the event in any way then please contact Ty Davidson through the Kapiti Police Station on 04 2966800.