A good cause

At the beginning of 2012, the Herald reported:

 Tenacity. Dion Latta’s friends knew he had it, and his rescuers quickly found out.

He was the farm boy who would never give up – and he battled under a freezing waterfall for three hours, and left those around him with hope even as they watched helplessly.

Though trapped under the waterfall, he was at first able to wave his hands in response to their calls, says a person familiar with the events. But eventually they would watch him undergo CPR for an hour at the bottom of a gorge before he was flown away on a rescue helicopter, unconscious. He died in hospital from hypothermia.

Dion’s friends are taking part in the Wanaka Challenge to raise money for Wanaka Search & Rescue.

On the 19th of January 2013, Ben Simmers (Swim) Joe Beamish (Run) and Ben Baker (Bike) will be competing in the Wanaka Challenge. The aim is not only to complete the challenge, but to raise us much money as possible for the Wanaka Search and Rescue. This organisation is one that is extremely close to our hearts.

As they were heavily involved in the rescue of Dion Latta, a friend, brother, teammate and general good bloke,who tragically passed away on the 2nd of January this year. This is not only something that Dion would have wanted us to do, and do well in, but by raising money will hopefully stop another tragedy like this one occurring again.

You can donate at the link above.