Rotorua kids to benefit from new fund by Big Brothers Big Sisters

Rotorua children will benefit from the new endowment fund established by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rotorua. Photo / Getty Images

Rotorua children will benefit from the new endowment fund established by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rotorua with the Geyser Community Foundation.

BBBS chairwoman Robyn Spurdle said they were all about creating brighter futures for local children through long-term, meaningful mentoring relationships with a positive adult role model (tuakana).

These relationships are facilitated and supervised by a local case management team.

"Our kaupapa is all about using these relationships to build, strengthen and promote positive relationships between children, youth, adults, whānau, iwi and the local community.

"We have had hugely positive outcomes over the last four years since we began. For example, 80 per cent of our children are having fewer problems at school and 66 per cent are doing more activities after school since participating in the programme," she said.

"Another 40 per cent are getting on better with their families."

Spurdle said as BBBS received no government funding they relied completely on funders and support from local businesses and individuals to operate.

"Our fund with geyser will help support the financial stability and sustainability of this valuable programme in our local community."

Geyser Community Foundation chairman Pat Brown said it was great that BBBS Rotorua had chosen geyser to manage their new endowment fund.

"Funds placed with the foundation are invested and the capital retained in perpetuity.

"Once the fund reaches its investment target, the income earned on the capital each year is made available for charitable distribution. This means that donations made to the fund will keep giving forever.

"Gifts from the fund will be used to recruit and train mentors, and ensure meaningful matches are made for brighter futures – now and for generations to come," he said.

People can make donations of any size to the BBBS Fund directly from their bank accounts or by credit/debit card on Geyser's website www.geysercf.org.nz. Click Donate Today and follow the links.

Donations can also be made in cash or by cheque, alternatively people can provide for BBBS of Rotorua in their wills by calling Geyser Community Foundation on (07) 349 7496 or email annette@geysercf.org.nz

Geyser will issue official donations receipts for tax purposes to all donors.

The BBBS of Rotorua fund is one of 13 funds established with geyser by local community organisations and secondary schools to help with their long-term funding strategies.