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Tuesday 24 January 2012
Latin dance scene makes an impression on Nelson
Read us online at www.nelsonweekly.co.nz
Let’s Learn A familiar Something mountain new in 2012 to climb Page 12-13
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Mad Butcher to join Phoenix’s fight Andrew Board
The renowned Mad Butcher has joined hundreds of Nelsonians in pledging his support for nine year-old Nelson cancer sufferer Phoenix Stafford. The Mad Butcher, or Sir Peter Leitch, was due in Nelson for a Tasman Rugby League fundraiser this March. Then when the TRL board suggested it give a percentage of the money raised to Phoenix and his family, Sir Peter lit up, says TRL chairman Paul Lafotanoa.
“I emailed him to suggest it and he emailed back straight away and said ‘call me,’ so I did, and he said ‘tell me about the boy’. I told him a bit and he said ‘stop right there, I’m definitely coming down.’” The support of the Mad Butcher, himself a cancer survivor and well-known rugby league fan, has been joined by hundreds of others since Phoenix’s story appeared in Nelson Weekly last Tuesday. Phoenix’s mother, Renea Pidduck, says she is overwhelmed with the response and with the amount of people who have do-
nated money, sent messages and offered to help in whatever way they can. “It’s been amazing, really awesome. People have been really generous and just done what they can and that’s what I like. It’s not how much they give, just the thought, even a dollar is amazing.” She says the attention has been great for Phoenix as he battles a tumour in his spine. He has undergone 18 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. But with a new tumour still growing in his spine, doctors have told Renea they will
not operate or continue chemotherapy, so she and her family are raising money for alternative treatment that she says has so far seemed to work well. Already $9000 has been raised via donations to the Phoenix Treatment Appeal bank account and collections on the street. Forty tins also sit in businesses around Nelson, where shoppers can donate. There are also some TradeMe auctions raising money for Phoenix, including two
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Bravery hailed at police parade
Former Tasman area police commander Gary Knowles made a special trip back to Nelson last week to pay tribute to a number of Nelson officers he called “tremendous”. Gary is now an area commander based in Christchurch but he says he wanted to come back, just weeks after leaving, to attend the twice-a-year Pay Parade ceremony at the Nelson police station on Friday. Several awards for good conduct and long service were handed out, but the highest honour of the day went to an officer that wasn’t even on duty when he earned it. Detective Pat Nally was on holiday on the West Coast when two white baiters were in the ocean and in trouble. Pat grabbed a life jacket, swam in and saved one of the men. He was given the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand award for his efforts. Constable Shane Ohlson was another stand out, given the District Commanders Commendation after rushing into a fight where
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® CLOSE INSPECTION: Nelson City deputy mayor Ali Boswijk inspects police officers at the Police Pay Parade held at the Nelson Stressless police station last Friday. Photo: Andrew Board.
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