Raising funds one step at a time

Katikati resident Jessie Bansgrove may be 80, but she’s not slowing down. The survivor of two major cancers – Jessie moved into Summerset by the Sea mid-chemotherapy treatment. She recently laced up her sneakers for one more half marathon. But this time, it wasn’t just about personal challenge – it was about purpose: to raise funds for the Cancer Society. “Having got through ovarian and melanoma cancer in the last nine years, this is my way of giving back for the wonderful treatment and care I received.”

Jessie’s journey into fitness was unexpected. As a youth, exercise held little appeal. “I only played netball in high school so I could watch the boys play rugby,” she laughs. Her husband, Roger, was a keen jogger, but Jessie was cynical about his professed endorphin highs. “I used to think he was mad when he would come back from a run saying how good he felt!” Jessie says. The jogging bug hit Jessie in her mid-30s, when it became a passion. She often went alone, but also with friends, developing some strong friendships with her running buddies.

That momentum was paused when, at 50, she began to experience persistent pain in her hip. The resulting X-ray showed bone degeneration and a warning. “I was told to stop running and to put my name down for a hip replacement in 10 years’ time!” Jessie remembers. Jessie refrained from doing anything for a year, but decided to do a half marathon with friends for a fundraiser. “After a rather boozy night we set off the next morning and, surprisingly, we all made it!” Jessie laughs.

So, when thoughts of another race stirred after a milestone birthday and a holiday in London, she decided to use it as a fundraiser. Inspired by her daughter Nadine’s cancer charity efforts abroad, she set a modest target, expecting to raise maybe a few hundred dollars.

Instead, she raised a whopping $1,629.50 for the Cancer Society Waikato Bay of Plenty! Jessie, who has lived at her Summerset village for nine years, received many donations and support from the village community, friends and family.

On race day, halfway through the walk, she tripped at the 12km mark and, unbeknownst to her at the time, broke her wrist – but she got up and finished anyway. “I couldn’t let everyone down,” she says simply. At the finish line there was a bell for those who achieved a personal best. Her daughter Tracey, who did the race with her, agreed with her, saying, “You’ve earned it.” Jessie rang that bell.

This is an article from the Winter 2025 edition of Summerset Scene magazine

Click here to read the full issue