Strengthening father-son bond
Strengthening the vital bonds between fathers and sons is the mission behind a men’s day in Palmerston North.
Vision Church hosted a ‘‘day out for the boys’’ on Saturday. There was free food, cars and motorbikes on display, and emergency services were on hand with their vehicles and equipment.
There were plenty of activities and challenges throughout the day, including a tug-of-war and free rides. Some dads even tried their hand at pulling a 10-tonne tractor.
Organiser Jayden Bay said the church wanted to run an event where men could enjoy a day out with their sons in the lead-up to Father’s Day yesterday. The theme of the event was a men’s day out.
Bay said as someone who has had a difficult relationship with his dad, he wanted to organise an event that fathers could use to help strengthen that bond and to encourage the building of relationships.
Bay said he wanted to keep the event free and accessible to all. A gold coin donation to the Lifehouse Community Trust was encouraged. The trust supports at-risk youth.
Bay estimated about 200 people, including female family members, came to enjoy the event in the sun.
Bert Ioapo bought his one-year-old son along after seeing signs on the street. He said fathers were a crucial role model for their children. ‘‘Having a father teaches a boy how to be a man, and we have to teach them life skills.’’
Assistant police commissioner Jevon Mcskimming spoke to the crowd about his career as a police officer. Being a police officer had given him a sense of purpose.