Emma Anselmi with her late son Nate
Emma Anselmi will soon be raising funds at an event in support of the Child Cancer Foundation. Named Nathan’s Fun-draiser, it honours her son, Nate, who succumbed to an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2022, aged just four years.
Emma Anselmi with her late son Nate
“We’re raising money for families living a nightmare they couldn’t have imagined they would ever experience,” Emma said.
“Nathan’s Fun-draiser is about finding somewhere to put our pain, into something that will spread joy and help others at the same time. Nothing can bring our son back, but he’d be happy that his family, friends and community have donated money to help others in his name.”
The event is set for November 16 at Ōtorohanga’s Windsor Park. It is timed to run ahead of what would’ve been Nate’s eighth birthday, 10 days later.
“It’s dedicated to things he loved – we want everyone to enjoy some of the same things he did,” said Emma. “Everyone can wear superhero costumes and there will be real-life superheroes – from the fire brigade, police and ambulance service – there too.”
The event is only possible thanks to contributions of time, goods and services from the community, she said.
“There will be a mix of activities for $2 and some will be free, as well as rides on Toby, the Mitre 10 train, a sausage sizzle and drinks, face painting, a DJ and more.”
Emma Anselmi with her late son Nate
Emma will lead fundraising efforts from beneath a closely cropped coif.
“I’ll be shaving off my hair and people will be sponsoring me,” she said. “People who know me well would understand that this is definitely outside my comfort zone.”
Her cousin, Kim Ostern, who has faced her own battle with cancer, will do the honours with clippers in hand. Emma’s locks will be donated to Freedom Hair, an organisation which makes wigs, often for people experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy.
Organising Nathan’s Fun-draiser has been a family affair. Emma’s husband, Ryan, has been working behind the scenes and their daughter, Eva, 10, a Piopio Primary School student, has also been helping.
“Without Eva’s love and support, I wouldn’t be able to do all this,” Emma said. “She has been a great help, making posters and coming up with good ideas for activities that Nate liked.”
Emma Anselmi with her late son Nate
