CMC Markets celebrates 11 years with Scholarship programme

CMC Markets celebrates 11 years with the Variety Charity Gold Heart Scholarship programme

Auckland - Monday, 24 July 2017

For 11 years, CMC Markets, a leading online trading platform, has donated $300,000 to deserving and gifted Kiwi kids as part of the Variety Gold Heart Scholarship programme. This year, they are continuing their ongoing support for the programme by sponsoring eight scholarships across the education, sports and arts fields.

Each recipient will receive up to $5,000 of funding to assist their growth and where possible, will be matched with a suitable mentor thanks to CMC Markets, a principal Variety partner.

The Variety Gold Heart Scholarship programme is designed to foster success in disadvantaged children by providing them funding and opportunity to succeed, despite their circumstances. CMC were also a founding sponsor of the programme in its inaugural year.

Chris Smith, General Manager of CMC Markets New Zealand, says being able to support a programme allowing talented children to excel in their chosen field, despite their home and financial situations, is a very rewarding initiative that resonates well with the company’s values.

“It has been a pleasure to support Variety, they do incredible work for New Zealand children and it’s great to see that our contribution can make a difference in the local community and assist these gifted candidates achieve their goals,” he says.

Variety’s CEO Lorraine Taylor said it has been a privilege to have CMC Markets on-board as a partner and an ongoing contributor to the Gold Heart Scholarship programme since it was launched in 2007.

“So far thanks to CMC Markets support, we’ve helped nearly 100 talented Kiwi kids, many over multiple years, to reach their full potential, overcome personal challenges and achieve their dreams. It’s been a thrill to see these young people go on to succeed in their chosen field, whether it be the arts, sports or education.”

A previous Variety Gold Heart Scholarship recipient, Rebecca Dubber (now 24) showed great dedication to swimming despite being diagnosed with lumbosacral agenesis, similar to spina bifida, resulting in limited use of her legs. When she was 15, Rebecca received $5000 towards travel and swimming gear thanks to the scholarship programme and CMC Markets. Just last year she won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games for the Women’s 11m Backstroke S7.

“Variety is enormously grateful to CMC Markets for their continued support over the years. The opportunities they have provided to our young people have shaped many bright futures ahead,” Lorraine concludes.

The Variety Gold Heart Scholarships are open to all New Zealand residents and citizens under 18-years-of-age. Scholarships typically help recipients with tuition fees, personal development, coaching, and the purchase of training equipment, travel or accommodation. Click here to read more about each scholarship winner.

2017 Gold Heart Scholarship programme winners supported by CMC Markets:

Beth Reid, 15, Auckland – scholarship awarded for her dedication to softball and baseball. Beth funds as much of her own costs as she can, however the scholarship will pay her club fees, uniform and tournament fees as she’s been selected to represent New Zealand.

Chelsey Edwards, 15, Wellington – scholarship awarded for her dedication to swimming. Training on average 16 hours a week on top of school, funds will enable her to attend the Junior Commonwealth Games in July.

Ella McIntosh, 17, Auckland – scholarship awarded for her dedication to theatre. Despite her dyslexia, Ella was selected as one of 24 students out of 5000 to represent New Zealand at a Globe Education course in the UK. Funds will enable her to join the prestigious Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ Young Shakespeare Company 2017.

Emily Ayas, 15, Christchurch – scholarship awarded for her dedication to dance. With Emily’s family struggling to keep up with the financial demand of the dance industry, funds will enable her to travel to the Gold Coast in January 2018 to compete in Showcase.

Grace Jale, 18, Auckland – scholarship awarded for her dedication to soccer. Having two training camps with the Football Ferns under 20’s team, funds will help pay for Grace’s training, competition costs and travel, along with new equipment.

Henare Cherrington-Christie, 15, Kaitaia – scholarship awarded for his dedication to swimming. Henare left his immediate family in Kaitaia to move to the North Shore due to the better swimming facilities. Living now with his uncles, Henare is responsible for making his own meals and getting himself to training and school. Funds will assist Henare in paying for his swimming fees, national meets and equipment.

Levi Popata, 13, Northland – scholarship awarded for his leadership and dedication to education despite his challenging background. After his primary school principal approached Variety regarding his intellect and work ethic, funds will support Levi for two terms boarding at Whangarei Boys High school.

Tyron Henry, 15, Auckland – scholarship awarded for his dedication to swimming. Swimming over 40,000m per week all year round, the funds will enable him to compete in the NZ Short Course Champs, NZ Age Group Champs and the Australian Age Group Champs in 2018.

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