Students, staff, and whānau at Te Awamutu Primary School rallied together today for a touching 10-hour walking baton relay, the “10-10-10,” held in memory of former student, 10-year-old Gaiah-Rose Maikuku on Tuesday 10 March.
The relay celebrated her life and raised vital funds for Ronald McDonald House, an organisation that provided crucial support to the Maikuku whānau during Gaiah-Rose’s short battle with lymphoma.
The day was marked with both aroha and sorrow as community members walked the school’s bike track, ensuring a baton was continuously moving for ten hours – one hour for every year of Gaiah-Rose’s life.
For her mother, Elsie Van Tol, the emotional significance was immense. Gaiah-Rose, from Ngāti Hikairo and Ngāti Maniapoto, passed away in January. “Miss her. I thought I had run out of tears. Some days are harder than others,” Van Tol shared. She reflected on the difficult journey, concluding, “I think we did as much as we could and what we knew at the time.”
The support from Ronald McDonald House was a constant thread throughout the family’s ordeal. “We would’ve sunk if we didn’t have the Ronald McDonald House,” Van Tol said, highlighting their role in providing accommodation and food. Gaiah-Rose’s older sister, Hayley-Lou Mamae Maikuku, echoed this sentiment. “They helped us out with food and housing and everything while we were in the hospital with Gaiah. They’re just awesome.”
Hayley-Lou also shared a deeply personal memory of her younger sister. “I miss her annoying little kōrero she used to have. She used to just talk and talk and talk all the time. Man, I miss it.” She encouraged attendees, “I’d like everyone to think about how nice it is to have, just the people you have with you around you. Enjoy the time that you have with them.”
Deputy Principal Kim Tautari-Scott explained the idea behind the event and a memorial seat being built on the grounds. “We didn’t have a chance to say goodbye. So we were just looking at a way that we could process how we were feeling… So, we came up with a memorial seat.” She noted the event was a full staff effort, helping the tamariki and community process their grief and loss together.