Family-day tribute for special mum

Photo: CARLY TAWHIAO

IN MEMORY: Jarrod Smith and his children, Starria, 3, and Zyon, 10, will be attending Little Scholars’ family day tomorrow in memory of their mother, Marcia, who died of cancer last year.

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The memory of a special parent is behind a childcare centre's plan to raise $1000 for an Auckland hospice.

Little Scholars early learning centre's branches in Mt Albert and Mt Roskill are hosting a family fun day at Kiwi Valley in west Auckland tomorrow, with proceeds going to the South Auckland Hospice.

The fundraiser was organised in memory of pre-schooler Starria Smith's mum, Marcia Smith, who lost her battle with cancer at the beginning of last year.

Centre manager Emma Norrie says that while the aim is to raise money for the hospice they want to have an event that will be fun for the families.

"The Smith family have been a part of our centre since Starria was born and the South Auckland Hospice became a big part of their lives towards the end of Marcia's life," she says.

"Last year we had three families who were affected by cancer. While two parents have been lucky enough to go into remission, unfortunately Starria's story did not have a happy ending."

Marcia used the search engine Google to diagnose herself with breast cancer in 2007, even though doctors and specialists kept telling her she was fine.

Shortly after Starria was born, she found a doctor who gave her the necessary blood test and scan that confirmed what she already knew.

"When they did diagnose her, she was gone," Marcia's widower Jarrod Smith says.

"She had no hope in hell.

"They gave her six months, but she hung on for two years for the kids.

"She really wanted to spend time with Starria."

The Royal Oak resident says he took on the role of "Mr Mum", working half-days and taking care of their two children, Zyon and Starria, while Marcia had chemotherapy.

"Zyon is still taking it pretty hard, but Starria knows mum's in heaven. Things are pretty tough sometimes, but we seem to be doing OK," he says.

Jarrod says that when Little Scholars told him the family day was going to be in memory of Marcia, he was "blown away".

"It's amazing, the whole feel of the school. Starria loves its. They're just so family-orientated; they're like a massive family. They've been awesome."

The fun day runs from 9.30am to 12pm and tickets cost $8 from Little Scholars centres.

- © Fairfax NZ News