Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury aim to raise $15,000 by Friday
North Cantabrian Steve Baker has been a “big brother” to Aldrine for three years.
The pair play pool and golf together, they go to the beach, they make pancakes and go fishing.
He helped Aldrine make a raised garden bed for Aldrine’s mother, who uses a wheelchair.
Baker, who runs a small construction company, enjoyed helping him do what he wouldn’t normally.
North Cantabrians are being urged to get behind its first online campaign to raise funds for the region’s Big Brothers Big Sisters group.
With fundraising events postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic, the organisation said it had been unable to raise the money needed to run its youth mentoring programme.
It launched a Givealittle online fundraiser on April 1 and aims to raise $15,000 in 15 days (by April 15). As of 1.30pm on April 11, 55 donors had raised $9630 between them.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury matches adult mentors with tamariki who need extra support across Waimakariri and Hurunui. They recruit, train and support their volunteers.
Mentors spend an hour, once a week with the children sharing hobbies and interests.
Programme manager Ellie Le Gros said for some children in the programme, the weekly interaction with their mentor was the only time they spent outside their home or school, or had the undivided attention of an adult.
“You only need to give a little, to change a life,” she said.
Baker said: “A lot of them just want a friend.”
Several local schools were joining in the online appeal and raising money through mufti days and some North Canterbury businesses were acting as match funders.
Le Gros said local businesses that had given support included the owners of Rangiora Pak 'n Save, which donated $3000 and The Sugar Room in Kaiapoi.
The schools included St Patrick’s in Kaiapoi, Omihi, Southbrook and Loburn. They were doing mufti days with the theme of come as your mentor or someone you look up to, she said.
For the last eight years the group had a fundraiser breakfast, but with that normally attracting 250 attendees they could not hold it due to Covid restrictions.
It was a struggle, she said, so they were trying something new with the online appeal.
Cancer survivor Jake Bailey is the face of the fundraising appeal.
“Having someone to rely on when things are difficult, someone to listen to you without judgment and someone you know chooses to spend time with you can make all the difference while growing up”, he said.
One can donate to the appeal here: givealittle.co.nz...
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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63.9% Yes
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33.6% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
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