Auckland High School student runs first full marathon to support Defence Personnel
An Auckland High School student with dreams of joining the NZ Army has run his first full Marathon to show the ultimate support for Aotearoa’s Sailors, Soldiers, Aviators and their whanau.
Arjun Porter-Howland, 18, completed the Auckland Marathon in just three hours and 51 minutes last Sunday, to raise funds and awareness for Mission Homefront.
The recently established organisation represents and supports New Zealand’s Defence Force Personnel.
Porter-Howland has raised over $800 so far, which will provide tangible support through funding healthy homes inspections, mould removal, financial hardship grants, hauora support and events.
A keen kickboxer, he has never done anything like it before and trained hard, running up to five times a week beforehand.
“It was such an incredible day but the mental stamina needed was immense, it was really, really hard,” he said.
“At the 30km mark I hit a massive wall but I had to remember why I was doing it and it pushed me through. I gave it my absolute all to get sub four hours and crossed the finish line with bleeding feet and nothing left in the tank. It was quite an emotional moment for both my mum and I as well,” he said.
Director and co-founder, Erin Speedy, said she was extremely proud of Arjun’s efforts and it was a privilege that he chose their organisation to dedicate his mission to.
“Running 42.4km in sub four hours takes some serious grit, strength and mental resilience and to say we are proud of him, is an understatement,” she said.
“Arjun has displayed the ultimate courage, comradeship, commitment and integrity and proved that he has everything it takes and more to join the New Zealand Defence Force.”
“It’s amazing to see a young man who dreams of the day he is in uniform and is determined to make a change for those who serve our country. One day, he will be an absolute asset to the NZ Army Ngāti Tūmatauenga and will have an incredibly successful career.”
Speedy believes the NZDF is still a fantastic career opportunity, providing experiences and opportunities you can’t get anywhere else.
Porter-Howland said he was honoured to raise funds for the cause, and appreciated the opportunity to do so.
“Mission Homefront is really important, there's a lot of problems plaguing the NZDF that's preventing people from joining and forcing people to leave,” he said.
Mission Homefront shines a light on the service conditions and dire challenges NZDF personnel and their families face—which have already led 30% of service members to leave the force.
The organisation’s own research shows over 60% of military families report their substandard housing is causing health issues, nearly 60% are struggling financially, and more than half are grappling with welfare and support difficulties.
“I believe Mission Homefront has the potential to spark meaningful change for the NZDF, improve base living conditions and ensure Defence personnel receive the pay and service conditions they deserve,” he said.
“Our Defence Force people and their families deserve to be treated better by the Government and New Zealand for their sacrifices.”
Donations are still open, and can be made through the Givealittion page - Arjun's Mission Homefront Marathon; Supporting NZ Military Families - Givealittle
