Like many recently, the Papamoa Bulldogs Rugby League & Sports Club has had a rough run. Struggling to recruit players and volunteers to keep the club going, this season they've decided to rebuild and reconnect with their local community.

To do this they will physically carry an inspirational local to the top of Papamoa Hills tomorrow to fulfil one of his own personal bucket-list items.

Bryce Dinneen, who at age 29 became tetraplegic from a diving accident but has gone onto help others with his own charity Wish4Fish, will be carried up the hill by Papamoa Bulldogs players.

The idea sprouted from Bryce and veteran Bulldog Teia Dunster's friendship. Past Alloy Cats foreman, Teia helped build the Wish4Fish boat that helps people with disabilities or mental unwellness get out on the water and enjoy the freedom and pleasure of our ocean waters.

Teia and Bryce had talked of going up the Mount or Pap Hills for sunrise New Year's Day.

'It didn't quite eventuate,” says Teia. 'But, getting back into footy pre-season, I thought: ‘Man we could get this guy [Bryce] up here – because that's one of his goals and tie it with our boys getting some pre-season fitness under their belts'. And bring it together by bringing the community in.”

Tomorrow morning, March 26, Teia is inviting Bulldog players, supporters and the community at large to meet at Papamoa Hills carpark. The operation to carry Bryce to the top starts 10.30am.

A custom-made stretcher will help six Bulldogs carry Bryce at a time 'pallbearer-style”. The handles are big enough that we can interchange and swap out – so three on each side and just keep rotating to give everyone a break on the way up,” says Teia. 'There's a few pit-stops on the way that we'll take advantage of.”

The event doubles as a fundraiser for the Bulldogs with a Givealittle page to donate towards supporting the club's growth and survival.

Bryce says his Wish4Fish journey has always been about energy and engagement. 'Here's a local sport club that's done it really tough, is trying to navigate Covid, which is trying to put some energy and engagement not only back into their team but the wider community.

'The Givealittle page is called ‘Papamoa Bulldogs Rugby League & Sports Club Inc'. If people can share it with friends, whanau and maybe put a little in the bucket that would be great.

'For me, it's about breaking down barriers around access and opportunity, saying: ‘Hey, it can be done with the right support because that's what I rely on every day of my life – whether I like it or not.”

Papamoa Hills park ranger Mark Ray says tomorrow's event will be a challenge but is doable. 'There's a few steep hills and couple of tight spots but I'm sure with enough people they'll be fine.

'I'll transport Bryce's wheelchair to the top so when he gets there he can have a look by driving around independently,” says Mark, who says Bay of Plenty Regional Council is happy for the event to go ahead 'because it's bringing the community together”.

Teia thanks BOPRC, Hayden Schick, Mark Ray, Rachelle Dunster, WEON, and Bulldogs club president Jubert Moeke, committee member Tere Strickland and senior coach Johnny Kelly for making this event happen, plus kaumatua Quinton Bidois for his korero on the park's cultural history tomorrow.

To know more about the club, search ‘PapamoaBulldogsRLSC' on Facebook.