Ōhope Beach Medical Centre has announced a new community partnership with the Whakatāne Surf Lifesaving Club, supporting the club’s First Aid Room.

Owners Jasper Heijtel and Dr Marieke Roelofs say for the medical centre, the sponsorship is about backing the people who quietly make a huge difference every day, training, patrolling, educating, and responding when the beach needs them most.

What makes the partnership especially meaningful for them is that the idea came from their two young children.

When the couple were discussing how the medical centre could support the community, Floris, 9, and Sophie, 6, were quick to weigh in, saying “let’s sponsor surf lifesaving”.

The family are involved in the club with Floris and Sophie, active members and Dr Roelofs, a coach.

For the family, the surf club is not only an organisation they admire, but also part of their weekly routine, friendships, learning, and community life.

“Floris and Sophie were very clear about it,” said Mr Heijtel.

“They talked about training days, being on the beach, learning to be safe in the water, and how the lifeguards help people. Their enthusiasm and their sense of ‘this matters’ really stuck with us.”

When the couple shared the idea with the wider medical centre team, support was immediate.

“Everyone was instantly onboard,” Mr Heijtel said.

“We are a local medical centre, and this is our community too. Supporting the Surf Lifesaving Club just made sense.”

The partnership includes an annual cash contribution ring-fenced specifically for First Aid Room consumables and equipment, with the surf club choosing what to purchase based on what is needed most.

Alongside this, the medical centre is providing practical, hands-on support to help keep the First Aid Room organised.

“People often think sponsorship is just a logo,” Mr Heijtel said.

“We wanted this to be practical. If there’s an incident on the beach, having a First Aid Room that is organised and ready to go supports the volunteers and helps the club respond quickly.

“This is our way of backing the surf club in a hands-on way.”