MEDIA RELEASE

22 October 2010

SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust announces $2.3 million in grants

One hundred and fifty four truly inspirational community groups celebrated in Auckland this week at the announcement on Thursday night (21 October) at SKYCITY of $2.3 million dollars distributed to worthwhile causes by the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust for their 2010 funding round.

Thirteen hundred and thirty groups from the Far North to the Bombay Hills have benefitted from $24.2 million dollars since the inception of the Trust in 1996.

Trust Chairman Jock Irvine said he was delighted to make the announcement. “It’s a true pleasure to be able to support such worthwhile organisations that each make a real impact in their areas of concern and within their local communities. The Trust is all about community and as with last year, this year has also been a tough one for not-for-profits with their ever present search for funding to continue their good work.”

This year, Mr Irvine also announced his retirement from the Trust after eight years of service, the first as a Trustee and the last seven as Chairman. He thanked his fellow Board members, both past and present for their dedication and support. He hands over the reins to Arthur Loo as the incoming Chairman who will continue to be supported by Trustees; Jayne Kiely, Paul Holmes, Frank Bunce and Peter Cullinane; as well as thanking the work of SKYCITY in their support of the Trust.

Mr Irvine went to on to comment: “One of the most rewarding parts of my role as Trustee and Chairman has been the opportunities I have been given to interact and connect with the very special projects taking place all over Auckland. To meet the people making them happen and see what an impact they really have has been a privilege.”

Guests at the announcement function on Thursday evening were able to learn more about four of the groups who received grants in this funding round:

Kahurangi Ki Kaipara Trust kapa haka group from South Kaipara received $10,000 to support a recent international trip to perform and engage with other youth performers by invitation at the biannual International Folklore Festival in Finland. This is the first time that kapa haka has been included in this Festival.
 
The UpsideDowns Charitable Trust who provide funding for specialist speech and cognitive therapy vital for children with Down’s Syndrome to improve their learning development.  The Trust was pleased to be able to support the fundraising event ‘Share the Dream’ this year, that went on to raise $60,000 for these children. 
 
The Foundation for Youth Development - an umbrella organisation which manages and supports the delivery of Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K. This initiative is run in over 67 primary and intermediate schools with around 16,000 students. The Trust awarded $30,000 for Kiwi Can Auckland Regional training for all delivery staff.
 
‘Play It Strange’, Charitable Trust established in November 2003 to encourage young New Zealanders to develop interests and skills in song writing and musical performance. The trust awarded the organisation with $15,000 to assist with the staging of the 2010 Band of Strangers concert which provides a high-quality concert environment where 50 students play songs with the best of New Zealand’s popular contemporary artists.
 
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