Young Champions Carry The Flag For Children’s Help Line

10 July 2003

Outstanding young athletes Terenzo Bozzone and Cameron Calkoen have pledged their support as Youth Ambassadors to national children’s telephone counselling service, What’s Up.

18-year-old Terenzo has won two world titles in duathlon and is the current Men’s Junior World triathlon champion. He has held national titles in duathlon, triathlon, cycling, cross-country, athletics and swimming.

“I want to support What’s Up as I believe what they are doing will help benefit New Zealanders both young and old. This help that they are supplying free of charge to young callers will help New Zealanders to live a happier and better life”, said Terenzo.

In 2002, Terenzo was head-boy at Rangitoto College in Auckland’s North Shore. He gained an A Bursary with a scholarship in Physical Education and is currently studying for a degree in Physiotherapy at the Auckland University of Technology.

Terenzo believes in supporting charity fund-raising events for youth related causes, trains with and mentors a number of younger athletes in a variety of sporting disciplines and makes the time to speak to wide-ranging groups.

“I am hoping that as an ambassador of What’s Up, I will help to make New Zealanders aware of this superb service that is available and use it", he said.

Cameron, 19, is a NZ representative junior paralympian sprinter who has achieved many wins in national and international competitions. He has been awarded numerous athletics scholarships and achievement awards.

“Support is the foundation that goals and dreams are built on and I know myself what a difference support can make”, said Cameron.

“I am proud to be involved with What’s Up because its goal is supporting young people. By working with What's Up, I feel that I am helping other young people to set goals and create new and exciting possibilities like I have”, he continued.

Cameron will be competing in the 100m and 200m events in the World Wheelchair Games 2003 to be held in Christchurch later this year and has his sights set on the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece in 2004.

Terenzo and Cameron will be representing What’s Up on many occasions over the coming year.

“We are honoured to have the endorsement of these inspiring young men”, said KHF Executive Director Grant Taylor.

“What’s Up is all about enabling children and young people to identify their strengths and build upon them. Terenzo and Cameron are great examples of what young people can achieve with self-knowledge, support and encouragement”, he continued.

What’s Up provides free, confidential and professional telephone counselling for all New Zealanders aged 5 to 18 between noon and midnight, seven days a week and has answered more than 200,000 calls since its launch in 2001. More information is available on their website at www.whatsup.co.nz.