Inspired by Hutt Valley Club Athletes
When Duaan turned 25, he decided to mark it by challenging himself to run 6.7 kilometres every hour for 25 hours.
His goal was ambitious, but the purpose was simple.
Duaan, Venue Manager at Strike Entertainment Centre in Lower Hutt, wanted to give back to the athletes from Special Olympics New Zealand’s Hutt Valley Club, who compete there in Ten Pin Bowling every week.
After two years of working at Strike, Duaan had seen the impact the club has in their lives. He was inspired by their determination and positivity and decided to challenge himself while raising funds to support the club and its athletes.
Starting at 7am on Sunday 17 May, Duaan set out to complete 167.5 kilometres and raise $1,500 by Monday morning. He surpassed his fundraising goal three days before setting off and ultimately raised an incredible $2,069 for Hutt Valley Club.
For Duaan, the fundraiser was about supporting a community that had inspired him.
“The athletes are always so grateful for things that many of us might take for granted,” he says. “They don’t take anything for granted.”
Through the weekly bowling league, Duaan has enjoyed getting to know many of the athletes.
“It’s a really cool experience getting to know them as individuals,” he says.
“For a lot of them, Tuesday bowling is one of the highlights of their week. You can see how enthusiastic they are to be there.”
It was the athletes themselves who motivated him to take on the challenge.
“They are always pushing themselves. Seeing that made me want to challenge myself and see how far I could go.”
The fundraiser quickly became something bigger than one person’s challenge. It became a community effort. Strike Entertainment Centre got behind the fundraiser, with League Coordinator Kerry helping organise a sausage sizzle to support the cause. Duaan’s colleagues, running community and supporters from across the wider community also got behind him.
For Hutt Valley Club Chair Shani, the support from Strike over many years has been extraordinary and she can’t speak more highly of Duaan, who she proudly describes as “an angel”.
“Strike has been the most incredible and supportive facility and team,” she says.
“Our athletes are always welcomed and encouraged, and the staff genuinely care about them.”
More than 40 athletes participate in Ten Pin Bowling through Hutt Valley Club.
“It’s not just about the fundraising,” says Shani.
“It’s the relationships and knowing there are people in the wider community who value our athletes and want to be part of their journey.”
Why Fundraising Matters
That support makes a real difference.
Fundraising plays an important role in helping clubs create sporting opportunities and reduce barriers to participation. It helps provide equipment and uniforms, support venue costs and tournament attendance, and other experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.
“Fundraising helps us create opportunities and make participation more accessible,” says Shani.
For some athletes, those opportunities may not be possible without community support.
That’s why local fundraising initiatives and national fundraisers, like the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge, are so important.
They help raise both funds and awareness, while bringing people together around a shared purpose.
They also give people the opportunity to connect with the Special Olympics New Zealand community, learn more about the impact of inclusive sport, and help create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to participate, connect and belong.
For Shani, it’s also a chance to celebrate the wider community that helps make these opportunities possible.
“Whether it’s volunteers, workplaces, supporters, families or community groups, it means a lot when people choose to get involved,” she says.
“It reminds our athletes that there are people throughout the community who support them and want to see them succeed.”
Taking the Plunge for Inclusion
Duaan has already signed up to take part in Polar Plunge this year and encourages others to do the same.
“The water might be cold, but the purpose behind it is much bigger than yourself,” he says.
“People should be inspired by what these athletes achieve. Showing up for this community goes a long way.”
Inspired by the athletes he sees each week, Duaan set out to make a difference.
Thanks to the support of his workplace, friends and wider community, he did exactly that.
And that’s why so many people who connect with the Special Olympics New Zealand community choose to stay involved — because they discover they’re already part of something special.
Take the Plunge. Be Part of Something Special.
Duaan is already signed up to take part in this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge. Join Duaan and others from across Aotearoa New Zealand who are taking the plunge to help create sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.