Media release

6 November 2009

Gisborne’s Active Mokopuna Programme gets boost from The Lion Foundation

Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti’s Active Mokopuna Programme will continue to help with fundamental skill development and healthy eating practices of pre-school children thanks to the support of The Lion Foundation.

In its fourth year of operation, the early childhood initiative trains early childhood providers and parents/whanau to deliver activity and nutrition to children.  It also supports the development of physical activity, nutrition policies and learning curricula in Early Childhood Centres/Kohanga Reo.

A recent $30,000 grant from The Lion Foundation will assist with the ongoing delivery of the programme, enabling a fulltime Active Mokopuna Coordinator to be engaged.  The Lion Foundation also contributed a grant donation to the programme in 2008.

The Lion Foundation Chief Executive Phil Holden says the charitable trust is proud to provide assistance for this scheme.

“The Active Mokopuna Programme is an outstanding and unique service.  We are proud to support its objective to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices for children and the wider community.”

Operating for 24 years and one of the country’s most widely respected community trusts, The Lion Foundation funds a wide range of arts, cultural, sporting, educational and health focused causes, by distributing back to the local community the funds raised through its gaming venues in The Green Frog and Aladdin Bar.

Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti, who manages, administers and delivers the programme, says The Lion Foundation’s support is crucial to keep the programme running.

“We are committed to building a platform of fundamentally skilled and healthy eating pre-school youngsters who will then progress forward to with the ability and confidence to make positive choices around physical activity and healthy eating,” says Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti Chief Executive Daniel Gerrard.

“We are grateful to The Lion Foundation for their generosity and interest in our Active Mokopuna Programme and community.”

The Active Mokopuna programme has graduated 31 Early Childhood Centres and is aiming to completely register and graduate all centres/kohanga reo in the region within the next three years.

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