Connect 23

INTRODUCTION

Kia ora e te whānau, 
 
It feels like just yesterday I was writing for the Term 3 newsletter, having only been in the role for 10 days. Now, three months and one term later, time has truly flown by. Here are some highlights from this term:
 
AGM on 20th November: It was a lovely evening. Thank you to everyone who attended, shared our summary of the 2023/24 financial year, watched the video showcasing the impact of the Champion Centre, and stayed for food, drinks, and conversation.
 
Whānau Christmas Party: A huge success with 70 adults and an equal number of tamariki enjoying the amazing food provided by the Commodore Hotel, Father Christmas, face painting, and singing and dancing led by our talented Music Therapists.
 
Looking ahead to 2025, I am excited about continuing to work with the incredible team of professionals we have at the Champion Centre to ensure we are delivering the best Child Development and Early Intervention services we can, to as many children as possible. All staff will return on 27th January for a training week filled with a packed and varied programme. We look forward to welcoming whānau back on 3rd February for Term 1.
Thank you to everyone - whānau and donors - for your gifts and words of thanks during this time of year. It has been truly heartwarming.
 
Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
 
Meri Kirihimete
Deb Nind

CENTRE HAPPENINGS

2024 Appeal
This year the Champion Centre conducted its first big fundraising campaign. As this was our first time conducting an appeal like this, we had no idea what the outcome would be. We are so pleased to announce that after some last-minute donations, we managed to raise a total of $27,000.

The amount of love and support we received during this campaign was truly remarkable. Every day we were reminded how kind, caring and supportive our community is.  We hope to have more fundraising drives like this in 2025 to keep our operations running smoothly and at capacity. If you have any fundraising ideas or contacts, you think might be interested in helping us, please get in touch

Whānau Christmas Party
The Champion Centre Whānau Christmas Party was a fantastic evening attended by more than 140 children and adults!  Our Santa was a big hit resulting in some gorgeous photos and the face painters were kept very busy.
 
The evening ended with a gigantic group music led by two of our amazing musical play specialists. The Commodore Hotel once again provided a great range of finger food, and despite the heat, everyone had a fun time. The evening is a wonderful opportunity for whānau to connect.

BRONWYN AND AUSTIN'S STORY

Austin is a bright boy, who loves animals, signing and currently has a real interest in heat pumps, pointing at them excitedly whenever they're in a room. Thanks to our brilliant sign language expert Liz, we can all use the sign for heat pump when Austin comes into the office. We were lucky enough to sit down with Bronwyn to talk about their journey that brought her and Austin to the Champion Centre. 

Austin was born premature at 36 weeks and was in NICU for two months. Bronwyn recounted how stressful and emotionally exhausting this time was.  

"It's kind of a blur because there were just so many people grabbing you, pulling at you, telling you to go here do that, do this" she said.  

After finally leaving NICU, Bronwyn had to decide what the best path of support was for Austin. After being referred by their paediatrician, they were left with two options, the Champion Centre and another organisation. Not being from Christchurch, she reached out on the NICU page for advice and was overwhelmed by the number of responses recommending the Champion Centre. 
 

"Literally everybody jumped and said the Champion Centre, without a doubt."  

Compared to NICU, the Champion Centre was a much more calming environment for Bronwyn, despite being busy all the time. It felt like there wasn't pressure to hit certain milestones within a certain timeframe which Bronwyn appreciated. She also loved how everyone at the Centre was always looking for solutions and there was always someone around when you needed a chat. 

Today, Austin is really coming into his own. In the beginning, he would cry and refuse to leave Bronwyn's side. Now, he is going down the slide by himself, playing outside and exploring independently. This has helped Bronwyn learn to let go a little too. 

"We have kind of like a trauma bond, if you like, so it's very hard to let go. I think at the start I wouldn't have been able to leave him in another room by himself and he wouldn't have been able to leave me. So, it's been really good in that sense." 
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Not having family in Christchurch meant that the Centre provided a support system for Bronwyn and Austin. Bronwyn feels like there are always people on the family Facebook page that offer advice or help when needed, whether it is helpful tips or information around funding, there are always people to provide support. The Family Support team also play a huge role in supporting Bronwyn through hard times.

Her favourite part about the Champion Centre is watching Austin develop at his own pace.
  
"At the beginning, before I knew anything, I was so focused on him and why he is not doing everything like everyone else. People put you under a lot of pressure, like I had a lot of people telling me to pull his NGT out, as then he'll start to eat All off this made me feel like such a failure. Now I know he's on his own journey, so I'm more like let's relax and just let him explore at his own pace. I always think about a quote I saw at NICU that babies are like popcorn, they all go in the pot together yet they all pop at different stages." ​

Every week the two of them come to programme in matching outfits. After experiencing post-natal depression, matching Mondays was just one thing that Bronwyn felt she could control.  

"It's quite good to just have something to focus on and it's just what we do, our little thing". 
 
Looking to the future something Bronwyn will take away from her time at the Centre is the positively.  

"The positivity from it all, that you guys are there to help. We are very lucky because we don't have anything like this anywhere else in New Zealand." 
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We look forward to sharing many more matching outfits in the year to come. ​

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMPION FOUNDATION

The purpose of the Champion Foundation Trust is to build up a capital fund to generate investment income to secure a sustainable future for the Champion Centre. 

Golf Day 2024 
A lovely classic Christchurch Spring Day welcomed players to Christchurch Golf course for the Champion Foundation Trust's Golf Day on the 20th of September, sponsored by Craig's Investments. With 25 teams it was a full house, and they were greeted with wonderful goodie bags from Resene and New World Fendalton, as well as a delicious BBQ from Hellers and New World. Drinks and pies kindly donated by The Catering Department were enjoyed during the afternoon.
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A live auction and raffle were held in the evening, and we are delighted with the money raised to support the Foundation's work to provide a legacy fund. The winners were Team Commodore (long-time supporters of the Foundation and Centre). The Foundation Board and staff wish to thank all the amazing hole and auction/raffle/prize sponsors and players for coming along, enjoying the day and supporting the Foundation. Overall, $46,000 in profit was raised. Happy Christmas from the Champion Foundation Board!

Champions' Alumni - Family Fun Day
On the 3rd of November the Champion Foundation and Larcomb hosted the Champions' Alumni for their Inaugural Family and Friends Fun Day. The sun shone and Alumni enjoyed bouncy castles, face painting, hot chips, Mr Whippy and drinks as well as music from DJ Paul and the New Brighton Silver Band. One of the biggest hits was the music session put on by Kate and Georgia. The Association plans on holding this again next year and have already pencilled in the 2nd of November 2025. If you wish to make sure you are on the database (and remember you can be a friend as well as family to be considered Alumni) please email [email protected]. Happy Christmas from the Champions' Alumni Committee!

Thank you for taking the time to read our Newsletter and we're looking forward to updating you again in the new year.

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