An oath of commitment

Richard Anderson is one man on a mission once a year, and that mission is to get as many of his fellow real estate agents and their families to join the masses at Relay for Life.

The Property Brokers tent is a hive of activity for the entire 24 hours and a lot of it is the result of the efforts of Mr Anderson in ensuring that all the boxes are ticked and everyone is there having a good time.

It all started 10 years ago with a meeting between Mr Anderson and his boss, Tim Mordaunt, about the relay.

Mr Mordaunt had decided to sponsor the stage for the event and was discussing the process with Mr Anderson.

"I said I would like to pick up the projects and it's really gone from there."

Mr Anderson has since co-ordinated the company's involvement in each event and is always there for the full 24 hours.

His enthusiasm has also led to the company being major sponsors for the Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa Relays.

"We have embraced it as a company and the people here support it well."

Mr Anderson has been part of Property brokers since 1995 when he sold rural real estate, and in 1999, he took over the rural manager's position.

He has 42 agents he overlooks and mentors, and so this experience in co-ordinating a lot of people made him the perfect person to take up the relay baton.

His input into the event is being recognised this year, with him reading the oath at the start of the event.

"I'll make sure I'm word perfect, so the family is going to have to get used to me muttering to myself for a while around the house."

Mr Anderson is adamant that Property Brokers is there to support the event and the Cancer Society.

"After all, the Cancer Society is funded totally by the community. There is no government funding, and cancer touches everyone in some way or form."

Mr Anderson knows this fact first hand, because his father died of the disease in 1978 and wife Lois was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year.

"You feel powerless when you're a partner of someone with cancer. You can't do anything. You can support them, but you can't fix it.

"I'm not a control freak, but it is really frustrating when you're used to being able to fix things and you can't."

One thing he can do, however, is rally the troops together for the Relay for Life.

"It's a time when you can celebrate having done something positive, and with all the fundraising having already been done, it gives you the opportunity to focus on why you're there and what it's all about."

"You're not there at that point to fundraise. You're there to celebrate life."

Mr Mordaunt gives Mr Anderson the credit for Property Brokers being so involved in Relay for Life.

"Richard is the driving force behind our commitment to the event. He does an amazing job every year, and it's his experience and diligence that makes our involvement so easy."

- © Fairfax NZ News