In January 2024, Dylan Yallop was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, which he bravely fought off over the following 16 months through a series of treatments.
He was excited to become a new entrant at Queenstown Primary School this year when, two months ago, parents Vanessa Lenihan and Chris Yallop received the devastating news Dylan’s cancer had returned.
The parents had supported his first treatment journey but no longer have the means to continue paying.
Family friend John Stephens say if Dylan’s current treatment programme, which is showing encouraging early signs, does not work, he will potentially have to go the United States for more specialised treatment which could cost in the order of $1 million including travel and accommodation.
"I told Chris [last Friday] ‘I’m going to get you at least 100 grand from this Ambrose tournament’ [on August 7]."
Stephens got to know Dylan’s dad when he was managing Arrowtown Golf Club and Chris joined up.
"I volunteered to help because I’ve run heaps of tournaments back when I was in the golf industry."
Entry for the 28-team tournament is $1200 for a team of four, which have almost all been signed up.
Stephens is also selling 18 hole sponsorships for $1000 a pop — "we’ve already got 10 of those".
The Ambrose format, he says, "is a great format for non-golfers to play".
There will be heaps of silent auctions and a few which will be sold in a live auction called by local livewire auctioneer Brendan Quill — his sidekick Craig ‘Ferg’ Ferguson will MC proceedings.
Up for grabs is a round for three players at Mangawhai’s exclusive Tara Iti course with the players being choppered from Auckland, while former All Black coach Sir Graham Henry is offering a fishing trip for four.
Stephens says Arrowtown Golf Club is not charging for anything so every cent raised will go to Dylan’s family.
"I’ve had no one that’s rejected me yet.
"It’s so good to see Queenstown still as a small community that you can reach out to and we’re all sort of looking after each other rather than turning into a city when you all sort of get lost."
To enter a golf team, email manager@arrowtowngolf.co.nz
Meanwhile, from a collection last Friday, Queenstown Primary School contributed $2745 towards a Givealittle page for Dylan’s family that by Tuesday morning had raised $131,447.
