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:
• 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.
