Business blooming for Redwood mum | Canterbury Business | Business News for Canterbury, New Zealand

A Redwood mother of two has been recognised as an inspirational role model for her business achievements.

Vivien McCaskey, 41, has been given the Bloom Her Business award for Most Inspirational Role Model.

The award recognises her acheivement in business and the the commitment she has made to the Christchurch community.

A keen triathlete, Mrs McCaskey created 'Tiddlers Multisport' in order to organise and run triathlon events which cater for children aged two to seven years old.

Until Tiddlers Multisport was created there were little to no sporting activities to target children of this age group in the region.

The triathlons have been so well received that between 200 to 1000 children show up to each event and take part.

"My vision for Tiddlers was to create a fun race event for the under eight years, that could be sustainable long term and could be developed to become a mobile business throughout New Zealand or internationally. I also encourage special needs children to come and race and to participate as an equal," she said.

Each event includes a run, bike, bouncy castle, gloop slide and are three minutes sprint events.

The events focus on participation, developing motor skills and confidence in a fun, exciting, supportive environment.

Always keen to help others Mrs McCaskey distrubuted soft toys and boredom packs to displaced children at Cowles Stadium shelter.

Weeks later, she then brought together many sponsors, a national children's entertainment band and over 1000 families to host a free event for those adversely affected by the quakes.

This award is not the first Mrs McCaskey has received.

In September 2010, Tiddlers Multisport won the New Zealand Recreation Association's 'Outstanding Community Recreation Programme Award' due to its quick growth and huge success as a stainable, outstanding community programme.

Two months later, Mrs McCaskey was nominated for the 'Local Heroes' Medal and Award under New Zealander of the Year Awards for 2011.