The Crusaders and Child Cancer Foundation: A Partnership of Heart

The Crusaders have been supporting us since 2012 by joining in on our national fundraisers and visiting the children in the child cancer ward at Christchurch Hospital.

But in 2022, they set out to do something big themselves. It all began when Webby (Aaron Webb), the Crusaders Academy Manager, set himself a goal for his 50th birthday.

He decided to grow a luscious mullet—with rumours that it would be chopped off—and run a 102km ultra marathon called the Tarawera Ultra to raise essential funds for Child Cancer Foundation. COVID cancelled his plans, but he remained determined and committed.

From 7am on March 4th, 2022, Webby tackled 112 laps around Rugby Park and Malvern Park in Christchurch to get to his 102km target.

The event captured the hearts of the community with colleagues, players and supporters joining in to walk or run alongside. BBQs, donation buckets and an atmosphere of collective effort turned the day into something unforgettable.

And so, The Crusade with Heart Long Run was born—a chance for the Crusaders whānau and wider community to come together each year in support of Kiwi kids with cancer and their families.

Growing Stronger Every Year

In 2023, the inaugural Long Run saw over 5,000 laps completed at Rugby and Malvern Parks, raising $50,000. One of the event’s youngest champions was 8-year-old Ari Marino, who ran 30km across the day and raised more than $3,600 in honour of his friend who had successfully overcome childhood cancer. Ari’s story became a symbol of the community’s spirit and the personal connections that drive this event.

The success of 2023 set the stage for an even bigger 2024 with the addition of a Corporate Challenge that saw local businesses step up and join in. By the end of the day, over 1,700 participants had completed 19,136 laps and raised an astonishing $125,000—more than doubling the previous year’s efforts!

To date, their efforts have raised an astonishing $204,636 and we’re so grateful and inspired.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The bar is set high, and 2025 promises to be the biggest Long Run yet.

Scheduled for Friday 24 January, the event’s goal is to complete a whopping 25,000 laps and raise $250,000.

It continues to be a free community event, welcoming everyone from casual walkers to seasoned runners.

Not in Christchurch? No problem. Participants who can’t join in person at Rugby and Malvern Parks can log their laps virtually from anywhere in Aotearoa thanks to the Aotea Virtual Challenge. Every step makes a difference for Kiwi kids with cancer and the families who love them!

The Corporate Challenge returns for another year, inviting teams to bring their marquees and carry their batons throughout the day. At the moment, over 50 teams are already registered – more than double the teams earlier this year!

Food trucks, inflatables for the kids and an open training session with Crusaders players will add to the exciting atmosphere.

As Aaron Webb reflects on the event’s growth, he remains humble about its origins:

I’m glad I was able to start it, but now it’s about everyone else. The Long Run is a testament to what happens when a community comes together for a cause. – Webby

Why it Matters

Every week in Aotearoa, 3 families will get the heart-stopping news their child has cancer. It turns the entire whānau’s life upside down. Often, they need to give up an income to help care for their sick child, adding financial strain to their enormous challenges.

Sadly, one in five children diagnosed with childhood cancer will pass away.

The funds raised through The Long Run go directly to Child Cancer Foundation to ensure these families get the wrap-around support they need, delivered through their very own Family Support Coordinator. Since each journey through childhood cancer is unique, so is the support each Family Support Coordinator provides. And it wouldn’t be possible without the incredibly generous Kiwis who run and contribute to fundraisers like these.

Showing just how much it matters to the Crusaders, their CEO Colin Mansbridge joined the Board at Child Cancer Foundation at our 2024 AGM!

We believe in serving not just on the field but also in our community. The Long Run is a powerful way to bring people together for a cause that matters deeply to us all. – Colin Mansbridge, CEO Crusaders and Child Cancer Foundation Board Member

Join Us!

Be a part of history and help the Crusaders reach their 2025 goals. Together, we can complete 25,000 laps and raise $250,000 for Kiwi kids with cancer.

👉 Register now: The Long Run 2025

📌 Set a goal

📣Tell your friends, family and networks

💡Inspire others to join in too!

Let’s keep this incredible legacy growing and show the power of our community in action.

See you on Friday, 24 January 2025! 🏃‍♂️❤️🖤