Urgent Help Required: Sponsorship Request - Championing David’s Pathway to Success at the World Stage !!

David from Remuera

Tēnā koe (Hi) Neighbours,

I trust this request finds you well.

I am writing to seek your support for my sponsorship request.

As many of you are aware, I am an Old Boy of Auckland Grammar School and currently doing my professional development studies at Carey Baptist College by enabling me to grow deeper in my faith and walk with our Lord Jesus and to be fully equipped for ministry as to where the Lord is leading me to for his right purpose and plans for me in accordance to his perfect plan. As well as, I am an alpine skier who began with Special Olympics New Zealand and now proudly represent New Zealand under Virtus International, which is the global governing organisation for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment.

Paralympics New Zealand is the affiliated national member organisation for Virtus, responsible for elite athlete pathways and development. I have been officially endorsed and classified to compete for New Zealand at the upcoming Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships from late January to February, where I am currently the only athlete in my classification.

First and foremost, I am a Double Gold Medallist from the 2007 and 2011 Special Olympics National Winter Games, and I represented New Zealand at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, winning Bronze in Slalom and placing 6th in Super Giant Slalom and 7th in Giant Slalom. Alongside this, I have contributed as a volunteer to major international sporting events, including the 2010 Inaugural Youth Olympic Games and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, and served on the 60th Committee for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Aotearoa New Zealand.

As I prepare to represent New Zealand on the international stage as a Virtus para-athlete, every moment of training and every bit of support, including financial contributions, counts towards this journey of dedication and excellence.

Notably, I am at present dedicating myself to my training, while maintaining the focus and determination required as I prepare to compete at my best in the upcoming Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, and Kitzbühel, Austria.

Skiing is a sport that demands discipline, resilience, and precision, and each race requires strength and the confidence that comes from knowing I have a community standing behind me. My journey is far from over, and I now need your support more than ever as I work to secure my position at the Paralympic Winter Games in 2030, once the selection regulations are finalised, as they are currently being confirmed following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Virtus International.

Henceforth, I remain fully committed to intensive training and performance development, intending to win a medal at the Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships and progress towards sponsorship opportunities with High Performance Sport New Zealand.

Moreso, with the relevant regulations uncertain in order to compete at the international level, rigorous preparation is essential to cover all contingencies, whilst ensuring I am fully ready should a regulation be implemented. That said, the FIS and Virtus memorandum highlights the vital importance of inclusion in winter sports:
www.fis-ski.com....

On that note, I want to clearly emphasis that it is now urgent for me to secure the remaining funding required to continue representing New Zealand on the international stage. Due to current funding constraints, I am no longer able to compete at the Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships in Italy, as I have missed the registration deadline.
Most importantly, to remain within my recognised high-performance pathway, I must secure the remaining funding, prior to my confirmation of my ability to compete at the Austria tournament. Thus, this competition is vitally critical to my ongoing international pathway. Once the merger allowing Virtus athletes to compete is formally finalised, and eligibility to apply for High Performance Sport New Zealand funding is confirmed, I am required to secure a medal at this event. Achieving this would build on my existing international accomplishments, including medals from the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games, and would allow me to formally apply for HPSNZ support.

In light of the above, given limited sponsorship, financial support is crucial. Any donation, no matter the amount, makes a significant difference, and introductions to potential funders are warmly welcomed. Donations can be made via my Givealittle Fundraising and/or Pledge Me pages. Here are the links for more info: givealittle.co.nz... and www.pledgeme.co.nz....

Every contribution makes a meaningful difference. Additionally, it would be greatly appreciated if you could simply share my page, as your support helps me stay on the slopes, refine my skills, and pursue excellence on the international stage. If you know of any sponsors who may be able to provide support, I would be grateful if you could connect me with them at davidee@outlook.co.nz.

Attached is a letter of support for your kind consideration for any future sponsors or funders.

Lastly, your support enables me to continue training, competing, and representing New Zealand at the highest level.

Thank - you.