Thumbs up for soldier's fundraising challenge

Second Lieutenants Ruth Tautari and Nicholas Fuller - the Army team in the Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge (WN08-0112-02m)

9 September 2008

Practicing her hitch-hiking skills will be only one part of the training regime undertaken by Second Lieutenant (2LT) Ruth Tautari as she prepares to take part in a major fundraiser for Cure Kids, the Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge.

Ruth, who comes from the South Hokianga, attended Northland College and joined the New Zealand Army in January 2007.

She is now the Motor Trade platoon commander at 2 Workshop Company in Linton Military Camp. 

Ruth said, “I joined the Army because I wanted a challenge.  I always enjoyed sport and fitness and my older sister was in the Army so I decided to follow in her footsteps.” 

“I really enjoy my job supervising the training of the vehicle mechanics that specialize in heavy diesel automotive engineering. They are a bunch of great guys who are proactive and competitive in everything they do.  I get opportunities to develop my leadership skills and knowledge with the assistance of some really good senior officers as well as being able to play sports and travel.”

When she is not working Ruth plays rugby and touch and enjoys waka-ama, swimming and karate.

Ruth and team member 2LT Nick Fuller will form one of three New Zealand Defence Force teams taking part in the Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge from 1-3 October. 

The 35 teams participating in the event are given $10 and have to use various modes of transport to get from Auckland to Queenstown in three days. The team that arrives in Queenstown with the most points after undertaking a wide variety of challenges on the way will be the winner.

“The event will benefit a lot of young children who need medical help, so we are really keen to raise as much money as we can,” said Ruth.

Prior to the event all teams participating in the Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge have to raise $7,000 for Cure Kids.  Funds raised will be used for medical research into life-threatening conditions that affect children.

ENDS