A group of Tauranga women will swap their usual workout gear for yellow tutus and take a chilly dip in the sea next week to raise money for the Cancer Society.
The women, who are members of Mount Maunganui outdoor fitness group Outdoor Personal Training (OPT) for Health & Fitness, are taking part in the Daffy Dippers challenge in support of Daffodil Day.
They will begin with their regular outdoor training session at Mount Drury on Wednesday, August 26, before heading to Pilot Bay for their Daffy Dip about 10.30am.
The OPT for Life team taking part in the challenge was formed after member Bev Standing came up with the idea following her father’s death from cancer last December.
“I just thought this will be a really good way to contribute to the cause,” Standing said.
Standing’s father lived in Britain and was diagnosed with cancer three-and-a-half weeks before he died. “It was so quick,” she said.
Standing and her family also planted daffodil bulbs at Mount Maunganui Memory Meadow in April, and the Daffy Dippers fundraiser seemed a natural way to continue supporting the cause.
The OPT for Life team will take a Daffy Dippers plunge at Mount Maunganui to help raise funds for Daffodil Day. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
The Daffy Dippers challenge is also meaningful for other members of the OPT for Life group. “Cancer has affected their family and friends too,” Standing said.
About 10 women were involved, with the group having already raised more than $800 towards its $1000 fundraising goal.
The women had also embraced the fun side of the challenge, with members planning to wear yellow tutus alongside their OPT shirts and swim caps.
“We look ridiculous,” Standing said, with a laugh.
OPT founder and trainer Mark Pihema said the fundraiser fits well with its philosophy of supporting team members and building healthy relationships through fitness training and other social activities.
“This activity came about because of Bev’s father passing away,” he said. “She suggested the idea and we both immediately saw the value in doing it with the OPT members because we’re all about team.”
Pihema, a retired Army officer and former physical training instructor, has run the group outdoor fitness training since 2013 in Mount Maunganui, and OPT since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The outdoor fitness business has 12 sessions every week at Mount Maunganui locations including Moa Park and Mount Drury.
“The women are planning to head to Pilot Bay after their morning workout but could go to Main Beach if the conditions are more sheltered there,” Pihema said.
Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society’s major annual fundraising campaign, helping support people with cancer and their whānau through services including cancer information, support and care.
“The women have organised the activity themselves and the Cancer Society is delighted to support them,” Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty community fundraising events specialist Hayley Hickey said.
To support the Daffy Dippers and make a donation, visit: https://daffy-dip.org.nz/t/opt-for-life