It's a case of the college and the current collegian stepping up to help a former collegian. And it's a charity event that's 'very close to home,” according to Tauranga Boys' College and event organiser Flynn Kelly.

It's a charity race evening where punters flutter on video horse races. Win or place first, second and third, and there's no skill or knowledge required.

Tauranga Boys' College student Flynn Kelly and Bryce Dinneen.

'It's a game of fun and luck where we hope to raise a bit of money,” says Flynn. 'And you never know who's going to win right down to the last few metres.”

It's a touch ironic that the make-believe horse races will assist making good of a tragedy that had its roots at a real-life race meeting. It's a story many of us are familiar with.

Former Tauranga Boys' College student and senior Bay of Plenty cricket representative Bryce Dinneen had been at the Trentham Races all day for a stag do. Then a dunk in the harbour changed his life.

He broke several vertebrae diving into Wellington Harbour and striking the sand. And from a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Otago University he ended up in Christchurch's Burwood spinal unit paralysed from the neck down.

'We have been waiting for an opportunity to get behind this old boy of our school,” says Flynn. But in fact the beneficiary of the Charity Race Night won't be Bryce, it'll be Bryce's charity for the benefit of others.

Wish4Fish provides an opportunity for people with mental, physical disabilities and financial challenges to enjoy fishing. 'I have seen the delight and hope the promise of a day out on a boat with a fishing rod can bring,” says Bryce. 'And I have been blessed to see some of the emotions at the end of the day.”

Like recently when they took out four stroke victims. 'It's cool when some who is supposed to be none-verbal can utter the words ‘thank you'.”

And Wish4Fish has been reaching out to the mentally ill, those who are bipolar, schizophrenic or depressed. 'The feedback is they are a lot more positive after the fishing trip, more interactive; and these are people on heavy meds.”

The charity is setting up a supporters' club at the end of September to assist a boat-build project. At the moment they charter but they have a vision which involves a 13 metre power catamaran.

'It'll be a boat for the community and aimed at breaking down the barriers between disability and opportunities,” says Bryce. 'We will get it out there for schools and community groups and raise funds through charters and harbour cruises.”

To make that vision a reality, Flynn is offering major sponsorship packages for the Tauranga Boys' College Race Night at the school gym Saturday, July 30.

For an investment of $200 major sponsors will get a table for 10, 30 minutes' promotion leading up to their big race and inclusion in a stable of sponsors advertising programme.

Flynn's hoping for 300-400 people on the night. The events are proven money spinners, the last one raising $15,000. 'Wow,” says Bryce. That sort of money would be well used by Wish4Fish.

Sponsorship enquiries should be directed to Flynn Kelly on 027 214 2994 or [email protected]

Now things have gone a full cycle. When Bryce was at Tauranga Boys' College he served with the fundraising crew at sausages sizzles and the likes, raising money for various charities and causes. Now he is the cause.