Cambridge police constable Scott Harris hits the track with Cambridge Middle School students (from left) Meisha Coetzer, McKaylee Flockhart, Sienna Long, Greer Dallinger, Ariana van der Westhuizen and Zoe Franklin. Photo: Steph Bell-Jenkins
Despite rocking up in full police kit, Scott Harris was feeling a tad intimidated as he arrived at Cambridge Middle School to find students running laps of the field on Wednesday morning.
“I don’t know what I’ve got myself into to be honest,” he said.
Harris was tagging in for youth aid officer Danica Hibdige, who was unable to attend.
Luckily the 25kg of gear the Cambridge constable wears every day – including a bullet-proof vest, taser, handcuffs, walkie talkie, baton and spray – didn’t slow him down too much as he hit the track to help motivate the runners.
Cambridge Middle School wrapped up term one with its own version of the Relay for Life, to raise money for the Cancer Society, and Little Hearts Day, to support New Zealand children affected by heart conditions, on Wednesday.
One of its own students, Colby Kobus, has a life-threatening heart condition.
“Hopefully he’s proud of what the Cambridge Middle School community has done for him and I hope his parents can enjoy that as well,” said Harris, who enjoyed getting behind “a great cause”.
Students splashed themselves with red face paint and accessories and were given 30 minutes to complete as many laps of the school field as possible to compete for Easter egg prizes, while teachers ran a bake sale and sausage sizzle.
Specialist team department head Tracey Andrews thanked the community for supporting the event, which raised more than $9000 for the Cancer Society and more than $2000 for Heart Kids NZ.
“It’s been a great day and the kids have really got behind it – hopefully we’ll do it all again next year,” she said.
