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Sir John's Christmas Message
As 2019 ends, I would like to thank you for supporting the John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation and the young people from Auckland South this year.
2019 has been another busy year for FYFOD and a year where we decided to have a brand refresh by updating our logo, which looks fantastic. This year has seen me retire from Public life within Council. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working for and representing the people of Manurewa and Manukau. My retirement allows me to spend more time with my family, especially with my wife Helen and my grandchildren.
The biggest achievement from my time within Council was the establishment of the Foundation, and I am looking forward to being able to dedicate more time to FYFOD.
I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to my fellow Trustees, who give their time freely to provide their guidance and knowledge to FYFOD. I would also like to thank Rick Pickard - General Manager, Margaret Clarke - Executive Officer and Gary Troup – Events Manager for the fantastic work that they continue to put in making FYFOD so successful.
2020 will be an exciting year for FYFOD, we have been chosen as a recipient charity for several events including the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays. More details about the events and how you can support us follow in the newsletter.
Our love and sympathies go out to Sir Peter Snell's family following the loss of Peter last week. Such a hero, history maker and wonderful man. Rest in Peace.
Please let me wish you and your families a safe and relaxing holiday period and very Merry Christmas. - Sir John Walker - Founding Chairman & Trustee
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As Sir John mentioned, after 11 years we decided that it was time to refresh the JWFYFOD logo but without losing our iconic identity. We were so stoked with the new look and have received such fantastic feedback. A big thanks to Nic at Platform 29 for your fantastic design.
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Drowning Prevention Auckland - Community Water Safety Champion
WOW we are so proud to have received the Drowning Prevention Auckland Community Water Safety Champion Award yesterday for our Community Swim Programme which delivers #WaterSkillsforLife lessons. We proudly share this award with Auckland Council and Swimgym who help make this happen.
This programme would not be possible without generous support from The Lion Foundation, Water Safety New Zealand, Potter Masonic Trust and Auckland Council.
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New Buses for 2020
Earlier this year we reported that Auckland Council generously brought 2 new buses for the Community Swim programme. These buses having been working tirelessly along with the 2 existing FYFOD buses, but the time is near to retire our old buses from duty.
We have worked hard to secure funding to purchase 2 replacements buses, which are currently aboard a ship due to arrive in January 2020.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), Grassroots Trust and the Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust who have provided the funds for the 2 replacements.
Once the buses arrive, they will be branded up with the Community Swim programme and our funders imagery, so keep an eye out for them in the new year.
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Sophie Robb – Shoe Drive
Sir John and FYFOD management had the absolute pleasure to meet Sophie Robb and her parents back in October, when Sophie delivered the 200 of the 400 pairs of sport shoes she had collected through her school and athletics club. Sophie, is a Year 8 student at St Cuthbert's School and runs for the Papakura Athletics & Harriers club, who all supported her with this initiative.
It was fantastic that we had Rex Maddren, principal from Leabank School present, as he was able to take some of the shoes back for his students, who would truly value receiving them as many students come to school barefoot.
Sophie donated the other 200 pairs of shoes to the Northern Presbyterian Support Network.
Thank you, Sophie, for your kindness, we will certainly watch and follow your running career in the coming years.
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ASICS – Partnership
Running to make a difference has never been easier! Through our partnership with Asics, they are donating new shoes to kids in need with the help of runners across the country who have pledged their kms to the cause. Read on to learn more about how they are giving back at Asics Encouraging Active Youth.
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ASICS – Auckland Marathon
Wow what a morning on Sunday 20th October. A wonderful group of students from Papatoetoe Intermediate School gave up their Sunday morning sleep in, and became part of the Field of Dreams and ASICS cheer squad encouraging the runners at the Auckland Marathon. Big thanks to all the kids, you did us, yourselves and your school proud!
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RAPIDs Festival
The inaugural Auckland Rapids Festival held in October was a huge success. 16 kids from the Swim for Gold (Community Swim Programme) took on the challenge to Swim the Lake. Big congratulations to Dylan who was the fastest, swimming the distance, while having to tackle the cold water, currents from the rapids and waterfall, in an impressive time of 1 min 52 sec.
Big thanks to Katherine Sugarman and her fantastic team from Swimgym, along with Tiana Tuala & Becky Plested from Second Nature Charitable Trust and Vector Wero Whitewater Park staff for making this event possible. Thanks to Garth at Trophies Plus Engraving for the fantastic trophy.
As part of the Rapids Festival, we also had the amazing team from Platform29 represent us in the Charity Raft Race finishing an impressive 3rd. They all had a blast and apparently it was talk of their office the following Monday. Thanks, team, for doing us proud!
Another part of the event was the Great Auckland Duck Race supporting our friends at Life Education Trust. It was fun watching the hundreds of ducks from schools, businesses and the public racing down the rapids.
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Principals Forum - 2020
On Friday 20th March 2020, FYFOD and Second Nature Charitable Trust are hosting the Celebrating Resilience Principal Forum. A time to celebrate Principals with inspirational guest speakers, followed by an afternoon of fun at the Vector Wero Whitewater Park.
We invite Principals to find out more details at Principals Day
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Thank You - Funders & Supporters
We cannot thank our funders and partners enough for their support during 2019, without it, the Foundation would not be able to provide the programmes that we do: Honda New Zealand, Auckland Council, Lion Foundation, Four Winds Foundation, Potter Masonic Trust, Joyce Fisher Trust, Grassroots Trust, Akarana Community Trust, NZ Community Trust, Trillian Trust, North & South, The Southern Trust, Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board, Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, Howick Local Board, Papakura Local Board, Fastway Couriers, Water Safety New Zealand, Second Nature Charitable Trust and Platform 29.
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Just a little bit of info – over 1.35 million Community Swim have been delivered since 2008 – pretty awesome!
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