Twelve days of Christmas: 6000 kids to benefit from cash

The Auckland Kids Achievement Trust runs a range of life skills-based programmes throughout low-decile schools in Auckland.

Charity that motivates children has airport donation sorted.

Motivating young people is the name of the game for a charity whose work aims to encourage children to be the best they can be.

The Auckland Kids Achievement Trust, under the Foundation Youth Development group, has been named as one of a dozen charities to get $10,000 in the 12 Days of Christmas initiative.

The holiday giveaway is run by Auckland Airport, which donates $120,000 each year to New Zealand charities from unwanted currency donated by the travelling public during the year.

The trust runs a range of life skills-based programmes throughout low-decile schools in Auckland to help motivate the pupils.

It will put its grant towards its Kiwi Can life skills and values programme, run by mentors dubbed Kiwi Can leaders.

The leaders visit participating schools every week during the year, connecting with youngsters and teaching them about:

• Self worth.
• Confidence.
• Having a can-do attitude to life.
• Responsibility.

Regional manager Kelly Olsen said the donation would ultimately help change the lives of more than 6000 primary school-aged children in Auckland.

"School principals frequently tell us that Kiwi Can has a noticeable effect on how well their children interact with each other, with significant decreases in truancy and bullying in the playground.

"We can't thank the Auckland Airport team and their generous travellers enough for supporting this life-changing programme," Kelly Olsen said.

The Auckland Kids Achievement Trust was established in 2013 after merging with five existing trusts from the region.

Auckland Airport spokeswoman Anna Cassels-Brown said: "Kiwi Can is such an amazing programme and we are delighted the foundation will use this gift to teach values and life skills to children in local schools."

• Auckland Airport is giving away $120,000 to Kiwi charities as part of its 12 Days of Christmas initiative. The Herald and Herald on Sunday will profile each recipient.
• To read more about the 12 days of Christmas go to nzh.nu/VXkuS
• For more info visit: fyd.org.nz