Roslyn kids' airbound wishes draw responses

JONATHAN CAMERON/The Manawatu Standard

RUGBY HOPEFUL: Keanu Watson, seven, holds the response from a Tangimoana resident who found his wish to be a better rugby player.

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The aspirations of Roslyn School students flew up to 100 kilometres away and landed with some appropriate recipients during the past week.

Students released their goals, written on helium-filled balloons, on the first day of school last Tuesday.

Of the 500 balloons, one travelled 100km north to Waipukurau, while five drifted to Palmerston North, Himatangi, Awapuni and Tangimoana.

Keanu Watson's dream to "get better at rugby skills" blew to a very fitting recipient.

The seven-year-old's balloon found its way to the aunty of New Zealand Sevens player and former Manawatu Turbo Kurt Baker on February 3.

She sent chocolate and a note to Keanu after finding it on McDonell Rd, behind Ohakea Air Base last week.

"I love your wish. My nephew is Kurt Baker who is in the New Zealand Sevens rugby team. He wrote a wish like you when he was at school and it came true for him," she wrote.

Deputy principal Matt Schmidt said Keanu Watson, a keen touch rugby player, grinned ear-to-ear when he received the note back.

Other students were excited to get calls about their balloons and could not believe one flew as far as Waipukurau. Mr Schmidt said the exercise showed children that dreams can come true

"The kids are buzzing about it and I've got lots of great feedback."

- © Fairfax NZ News