Dedicated, motivated, happy, valuable and young. That’s Hayley King, according to Cancer Council NSW, and it sought to celebrate the volunteering work of the 15-year-old Chatham High School student with a nomination in The Centre for Volunteering 2017 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
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On Monday Hayley says she was “shocked and surprised” to learn she won the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for the Mid North Coast Region and is keen to re-direct attention to the annual event that claims hours of her time - the Manning Valley Relay for Life.
Hayley is the youngest member of the committee and says she “just wants to do things that will make people happy.” The motivation for her choice to try to create joy is family and the lived experience of supporting a family member with cancer. Her uncle, Craig King lived with Hayley in their Taree home as the family rallied to support him after the diagnosis of a brain tumour.
“I was close to him and found it very challenging. I used to just sit with him as there was not much I could do,” Hayley said.
Hayley’s uncle lost his life to cancer and Hayley says her work on the committee “is a way she can do something to help as many people as possible.”
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Click image to learn about the allocation of federal government funding to the Manning Valley Relay for Life committee.
Cancer Council NSW community relations co-ordinator, Katie Mead says “there is no ask that is too big for Hayley.”
“Hayley has been a member of the Manning Valley Relay for Life committee for the past two years and she brings a youthful and happy face to the volunteer committee,” Miss Mead said.
She always goes above and beyond what is expected of her and has been instrumental in securing a range of prizes for the Relay For Life raffles.
- Cancer Council NSW community co-ordinator, Katie Mead.
Miss Mead says Hayley is also tasked with organising kids activities and “put on some fantastic activities both years” including numerous games, a jumping castle and snow cones.
“Hayley is dedicated and motivated to be a part of this incredible Relay For Life event. She is often the 'go to' person when I need support with anything from manning the registration tent, to emptying bins, to speaking to relay teams.”
