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Credit: Jacqui Mostert
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Tuesday, 10 March 2009 |
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 [A local family's thoughts will soon be far away as their son embarks on a special trip. Jacqui Mostert tells us why. You can phone her on 384 5337 or 021 0590470 if you can help out with sponsorship. Update: We are glad to say Timothy has now found a sponsor. Thank you to Chris Cooper Roofing for making his trip easier.]
My son, and local lad, Timothy Mostert will soon be embarking on a trip of a lifetime. An ex-Heathcote Valley School student, and now with Christchurch Boys High, he will depart with his fellow Year 13 students to Europe for the whole month of April.
There will be approximately 25 students and staff going, with the focus of the trip being on aspects of European history and culture relevant to New Zealanders. It will include visits to the Imperial War Museum in London and the remains of the World War One trenches near Flanders in Belgium.
What will make it all special for Timothy is his family history. My father, and Timothy's grandfather, was a soldier during World War Two. Robert Henry Wright served in the Italian Campaign and saw action at Monte Cassino.
 Timothy will visit Monte Cassino as part of the trip, and his group will go on to take part in the ANZAC Dawn Service at Gallipoli. They may even get the opportunity of laying a wreath at the service, although this has yet to be confirmed.
I know what this means for Timothy as we have both been regulars at the local Dawn Parade service here in Heathcote. Being an ex-Airforce service-member myself, I have certainly instilled that sense of pride in being a New Zealander and an appreciation of our country's military history.
While in England, Timothy's group will also be visiting the Globe Theatre in London, Oxford Castle, Bath, Stonehenge and Arundel, the birthplace of Charles Dickens. In Europe they will also be visiting Paris, Florence, Rome, Naples, Pompei and Istanbul.
The boys are really looking forward to the Dawn Parade, as they have heard so much about it. It will be a honour to be present. They have been told to wear something really warm because once they arrive at Anzac Cove with their packed meals the gates get locked behind, and they sleep out in the open all night come rain or shine! I have bought Timothy a camping emergency blanket, just in case.
What a trip! As you can see, it's a once in a life time opportunity. To make it all possible, the last year has been full of fund raising. Timothy has been selling Xmas Trees, holding garage sales, raffles and a race night, as well as delivering phone books. We are now close to the end, but there is one last thing. Timothy has to find a sponsor by 20 March.
In return for $250, you can add your logo and company name to his entry on The Christchurch Press' supplement page, to be published on 31 March. If you can help, please contact me, Jacqui Mostert, on 384 5337 or 021 0590470.
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