Sir Paul's daughter Millie fought a public battle with P addiction. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Sir Paul's daughter Millie fought a public battle with P addiction. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
A charity set up to combat methamphetamine use and fronted by the Sir Paul Holmes before he died has stopped operating after failing to raise enough funds.
The Stellar Trust is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008 by the Rotary Club of Auckland East to fight meth, or "P". Thepublic face of the charity and its ambassador was broadcaster Sir Paul, whose daughter Millie fought a high-profile battle against the drug.
Yesterday chairman Burton Shipley said the trust had provided education to about 50,000 school children, but after losing a main sponsor could not continue its activities.
"If all you are doing is running the office, are you actually doing what you are charged with doing as a trustee?
"Stellar were always keen to position ourselves at the top of the cliff, rather than the bottom. We were into prevention ... but the top of the cliff is not the sexy part of the issue, that's for sure."
The organisation raised money to fund education programmes in schools and communities, and had high-profile backers including former Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier, former Auckland Grammar School headmaster John Graham and Auckland Crown Solicitor Simon Moore, QC.
Yesterday Mr Moore said the trust had been very effective and its problems were related to fundraising only.
"As with so many voluntary organisations, particularly in these difficult times, it suffered from funding. And without funding it couldn't achieve its objects."
