DARE lessons draw on multisport experience

Christchurch Police Education Officer, Senior Constable Richard Brunton, is taking the lessons he’s learned as a long-time Coast to Coast multisport competitor and applying them in the classroom.

In February, Richard completed his tenth Coast to Coast, finishing third overall – covering the 243km course in 11hrs 48mins.

However, this year there was a bit of a difference. Richard was sponsored by and raced for DARE Canterbury, a not-for-profit organisation working closely with Police to provide life skills programmes to young New Zealanders.

Together, DARE and Richard developed the ‘DARE Coast to Coast Challenge Yourself’ project, which aims to raise the profile of DARE and develop a teaching resource Richard can use in schools.

Richard has created a series of lessons called ‘DARE to ACHIEVE’ which he’ll be taking to schools throughout Canterbury.

The lessons see Richard showcasing his performance in this year’s Coast to Coast and sharing his multisport experiences with students.

He’ll be challenging students to achieve in their own lives and set their own personal goals, whatever they may be. Along the way he’ll be encouraging students to build self esteem, make healthy lifestyle choices and become more socially responsible.

During this year’s Coast to Coast, Richard was decked out in custom-made race clothing with the DARE Skills for Life insignia.