Radiothon fundraiser held during the Leaders Walk for Life managed to collect only $1260.

An elderly pensioner man walked cautiously into the Radio Cooks Islands studio aided by his tokotoko (walking stick) to hand over $300 cash for the Leaders Walk for Life radiothon on Tuesday.

Announcer in charge Nga Teao-Papatua said some other pensioners also donated towards the cause, forking out $100 each to support the fundraiser to purchase active sports equipment for local schools.

However, she is disappointed and disheartened at the lack of support from the many sports codes on the island who did not offer any cash to the radiothon.

Participants at the round Rarotonga Walk for Life. 20120112.

“These sports organisations benefit from the young children who grow up to become athletes,” said Teao-Papatua.

“Why couldn’t each of them (sports codes) at least donate $20 to the fundraiser to buy sports equipment for our school kids. And our leaders in this country - where are their donations for our kids… it’s shameful.

“These pensioners who came forward on Tuesday with their money did so with all their heart and for the love of our children.”

The radiothon raised $1260 towards the Walk for Life project and was hosted with the help of Taa Pera and Lydia Sijp, and coincided with the round Rarotonga Walk for Life exercise.

President of the Cook Islands National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) Hugh Graham led the walking entourage of over 100 people. The group successfully completed the 31km walk around the island in seven hours.

Prime Minister Mark Brown and men’s health ambassador George George also joined in leading the many walkers including the Mongoose team, Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) staff, Members of Parliament and enthusiasts, to the finish line at Constitution Park in Avarua.

Prime Minister Mark Brown addresses the crowd at the finish line of the Leaders Walk for Life event. 20120108.

Graham was inspired to “walk the talk” after the successful and motivating Cook Islands Games, which had three objectives.

“One was to promote and encourage a more active healthier lifestyle for the Cook Islands people - which was achieved during the games,” Graham earlier said.