Your gift will have a lasting impact
Leaving a gift in your will is an easy way to help children and whānau reach their full potential.
For a family with a child that has a disability or developmental delay, the journey is one of learning, challenge and discovery. Along the way, families need specialist support, guidance and encouragement to help them navigate an uncertain path.
No family needs to walk that path alone.
Most families are at the Champion Centre for six years. The support they receive guides them throughout their child’s path to adulthood. Choosing to leave a gift in your will means you walk alongside these families and help future families access the same life-changing support.
The impact of your gift
"It’s an amazingly complicated rollercoaster of a journey. But thanks to the Champion Centre, not only am I learning about the child we support but I’m also learning about myself. Out of adversity comes new growth. Thank you." Champion Centre Parent.
A gift in your will means future families won't have to walk their journey alone. It supports children as they learn and grow and gives parents the confidence and encouragement to navigate the years ahead.
Your gift can make an impact that goes beyond keeping the Champion Centre’s doors open.
Choosing to leave a gift in your will is also about your life and what values are important to you. If you're considering leaving a gift in your will, our frequently asked questions below explain how a gift in your will works and what is involved.
“Having been at the Centre and talked to some of the families about the difference made in their child’s life, I want to help keep the work of the Champion Centre going. Helping others is an important value that I have grown up with in my family. I chose to leave a gift in my will so that more young children with a disability can be supported in the years to come.” Champion Centre Donor.
Every gift makes an impact. It can help a child say "Mama" for the first time, support a parent through a difficult period, or create a moment of discovery that changes the course of a child's development.
Not sure where to start? Our article, Why Having a Will Matters, explores some of the questions that can help you think about what is significant to you and the legacy you would like to leave.
Are you ready to write or update your will? Right now, you can write your will online for free.
Write Your Will For Free
Write your will today through our partnership with Footprint, New Zealand’s largest online will provider. It’s free and only takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Footprint’s platform is built by lawyers and your will is reviewed by professional will drafters. Footprint also offers free physical will storage and registers your will on the New Zealand Will Registry.
There is no obligation to leave a gift to the Champion Centre. However, choosing to do so is a meaningful way to ensure your values live on through future generations of children and their whānau.
When writing or updating your will we encourage you to have a conversation with those closest to you first. After providing for your loved ones, leaving a gift in your will to the Champion Centre is an easy way of supporting Canterbury children with disabilities and developmental delays.
Gifts can be made by anyone and all gifts are welcome.
You can change your mind at any point. We understand that circumstances and priorities shift. Your will is a living document that can be reviewed and updated throughout your life.
You should think about putting a will in place if you:
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Have a KiwiSaver account (or other assets) worth $40,000 or more
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Own a home
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Are married or in a long-term relationship
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Have children or other dependents
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Are planning for retirement
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Would like to leave a gift to a charity in your will
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Have experienced a significant life change
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Writing a will does not need to be complicated, but you’re not alone in being unsure where to begin. The first step is simply starting to think about the people, possessions and causes that matter most to you.
We have written an article to help you think through what you'd like your will to reflect, as well as some of the decisions you may wish to consider along the way.
Footprint's platform was built by lawyers and produces legally valid wills that are reviewed by professional will drafters. If your circumstances are particularly complex, Footprint may refer you to Perpetual Guardian for additional advice. If you would prefer to write or update your will through your solicitor or legal adviser, you are welcome to do so.
Yes. If your current will was not created through Footprint, you can still use the free will offer (links to https://partners.myfootprint.co.nz/the-champion-centre) through the Champion Centre. Once your new Footprint will is signed correctly in front of two witnesses, it automatically supersedes any previous will.
If you are writing or updating your will through Footprint, there is an opportunity within the process to include a gift to the Champion Centre.
If you are talking with your solicitor or legal adviser, they can help you include a gift and ensure your wishes are recorded correctly. Some useful information to take with you is our registered charity number CC22708 and our official legal name Christchurch Early Intervention Trust.
There is no expectation about the size or type of gift. Your gift should feel right to you. You may choose to leave a percentage of your estate, a specific sum of money, or a particular asset such as shares, property or another treasured possession.
Absolutely. We encourage you to look after your loved ones first and then leave a gift to causes that are important to you. Even 1% of your estate can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and their whānau, while ensuring those closest to you are cared for.
Giving is deeply personal. You do not need to tell us if you would prefer to keep your decision private. If you do decide to tell us, it gives us an opportunity to thank you for your gift and keep you connected to the Champion Centre’s work that you are helping to make possible.
If you have any questions, we would love the opportunity to connect with you. Please contact our Fundraising Advisor Tracey Horsham on 03 383 6867 or tracey.horsham@championcentre.org.nz for a no obligation chat.