Rotary’s foresight continues to benefit children’s mental health

In 2014 Cure Kids was delighted to announce long-term funding for a senior researcher focused on improving the mental health of children and adolescents in New Zealand.  This development is the result of events beginning 15 years ago by the Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland (RCDA).

It is estimated that at least one in four Kiwi children and adolescents will experience a significant mental health issue. 

“It’s an epidemic facing our kids; impacting their health, learning, relationships and development.   Once again, we’re grateful for Rotary’s role in helping us meet a clear child health research need,” said Vicki Lee, Cure Kids CEO and Waiheke Island Rotarian.

In 1999, Downtown Auckland Rotarian, Dr Bill Daniels, was concerned at the lack of specialist help for children and young people with mental illnesses. He floated the idea of establishing a research Chair to address the issue, and by 2009 the RCDA raised $170,000. While this wasn’t enough to fund the Chair, the funds were applied to support the important work of the Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Auckland.

All Black Cory Jane with Cure Kids Ambassador Connor Lehan

who lives with ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome

Recognising the clear need for more research in this area, Cure Kids embarked on a fundraising campaign engaging a small number of motivated donors who shared this vision and generously provided the funding needed to establish the Chair.  The generous donors are Rod and Patricia Duke and family, the Hugh Green Foundation, and support from New Zealand Rugby.

The Chair will investigate insights into causes, develop research-led treatments, prevention strategies and improve outcomes for kids and their families dealing with mental health conditions.

Ms Lee noted that “There are few of us who don’t know a young person who has been challenged with mental health issues.   This can manifest in a variety of ways - ADHD, autism, eating disorders, depression and anxiety to name a few.  We are determined to make a difference for these children and we are now focused on building a $2 million endowment fund to support the additional costs of delivering research projects to be led by the Chair.” 

Having the support of Rotary has always been pivotal to the success of Cure Kids and we are again asking for Rotary’s help as we look for further donors to help build this fund.  Please contact Philanthropy and Fundraising Dellwyn Stuart at Cure Kids on 09-370 0290 with any questions or ideas.

Thank you again for helping improve the lives of kiwi kids. 

For more information visit www.curekids.org.nz

Additional side bar information: 

Established by Rotary in NZ in 1971 as the Child Health Research Foundation, Cure Kids has to date raised $36 million for research into child health.

Rotary has been a passionate supporter of children’s health through the ongoing support of Cure Kids’ fundraising activities.   Cure Kids’ annual appeal – Red Nose Day – goes from strength to strength with Rotary’s active involvement.  This year it will take place on August 21 and you’ll be hearing more about this year’s appeal soon.  Call Fundraiser – Campaigns Kelly Douglas at Cure Kids on 021 110 2161 with any Red Nose enquiries.

 

 

Included in April

Rotary Down Under

magazine

 

ROTARY AND CURE KIDS’ OVER 40-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

Rotary New Zealand is the founding partner of Cure Kids.  This special partnership has made a significant difference to so many lives by turning research into hope.  Cure Kids thank Rotary for their commitment to assisting Cure Kids by funding vital medical research into life-threatening childhood illnesses.

KEY MILESTONES TIMELINE

1971.
The Child Health Research Foundation was established by Rotary to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Rotary in New Zealand.  The late Dr. Ronald Caughey, who was a leading Paediatrician and a member of the Rotary Club of Auckland, had concerns about New Zealand’s worsening infant mortality rate.  New Zealand previously led the world with the lowest rate, however by 1970 had slipped into sixth place.  He sought the support of Rotary to help reverse this trend. Under the leadership of District 292* Governor, the late Bob Yarnton, Rotarians took on the challenge to establish the Foundation as their Golden Jubilee project to encourage funding for research into child health.  Less than six months later, the Child Health Research Foundation was formed with $250,000 raised and presented to Foundation Chairman, Sir James Doig.  The first Child Health Capital Fund Chair at the University of Auckland was also set up in perpetuity, with Professor David Lines.

1975.
The Foundation’s support base was extended to Rotary throughout New Zealand. 

1987.
Over $1million was raised in the Great Investment Race.  Five investment companies were each loaned $200,000 for six months to invest in the share-market and raise as much money as they could for Cure Kids.  These companies paid back their $200,000 each, and the total profit was $1.2million for Cure Kids. 

1996.
Rotarians again showed their support with another determined fundraising effort which raised a further $870,000 for the Foundation.

2008.
The Child Health Research Foundation was renamed Cure Kids.  Some world first breakthroughs have been achieved, and over $29million has been directed into research in the past 40 years, including $3.2million contributed from Rotary in New Zealand to date. 

2009-2010
In recognition of the connection with and the support by Rotary over the years, Cure Kids partnered with Rotary in New Zealand in support of Rotary's fundraising towards Rotary International's PolioPlus campaign with a contribution of $200,000 to help Rotary achieve a Polio-free world.  After 25 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease.  As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk.

2011.
Cure Kids staff were invited to promote Cure Kids at the Rotary Zones Institute showcase in Brisbane, Australia. 

MANY CLUB AND ROTARIANS ENTER TEAMS IN CURE KIDS EVENTS: 

 ‘Rotary Woolly Wonderers’ Graham Peters and Andy McCarrison hitch-hiking on the 2011 Accor Hotels $10 Queenstown Challenge.

• Since 2006, there have been Rotary teams in every $10 Queenstown Challenge.  The champion fundraising team in 2006 was Rotary-Rotaract Beryl Robinson and Sam Gordon who raised $32,495.  Three years later, Rotarians Beryl and Colin Robinson raised another $20,217 for Cure Kids. 

• Since 2010, Rotary in New Zealand has been the community partner for Red Nose Day, with clubs and Rotarians up and down the country working closely with Cure Kids and other Red Nose Day partners to support community fundraising while being silly for a serious cause. 

• Rotarians assisted with 2010 and 2011 Walk on the Wild Side by helping on the day, and Rotarian families enjoyed these Walk on the Wild Side events. 


St Johns Rotarians Kevin Kevany, Isabella Tedcastle and Beryl Robinson assisting with Red Nose Day in Auckland.

ROTARIANS CURRENTLY INVOLVED WITH CURE KIDS GOVERNANCE:

• Past District Governors Beryl Robinson, Tony Fortune and Charles Wilson are Cure Kids Members representing Rotary in New Zealand (since 2006)
• Roy Austin, Cure Kids Board Chair (since 1998)
• Professor Bob Elliott and Don Jaine, Cure Kids Board Members
• Professor Ed Mitchell, Cure Kids Board Advisor

Quote – “Cure Kids is an amazing organisation with an innovative approach to fundraising and supporting the research it funds.   Rotary in New Zealand is the Founding Partner of Cure Kids and values its special relationship in a partnership that makes a significant difference to so many lives.   I have personally been involved in three Cure Kids fundraising events, and have never before had so much fun raising money for such a worthwhile cause!”   
- PDG Beryl Robinson, Cure Kids Member Representing Rotary in New Zealand

PDG Beryl Robinson ready to bungy jump on the 2006 $10 Queenstown Challenge.

* Footnote: Rotary District 292 was subsequently split into Rotary Districts 9910 and 9920.