Heartfelt thanks

Jacinda Bear seeks new home

We would like to give a very big thank you to two very generous women who have donated their time and creativity in producing beautiful hand-crafted items, in support of the Centre during the pandemic. 

Debby Heard, one of our Centre grandmothers, has knitted this unique one-off Jacinda Bear. This is her largest project to date, after several other bears were created during the pandemic. Jacinda Bear is currently up for sale on Trade Me https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2628932343 with the auction closing Wednesday 27 May. Debby, once again, is very generously giving 100% of the auction proceeds to the Centre so we encourage you to get behind this and share it with your family, friends and communities.
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Debby’s earlier ‘Midwife Bear’ sold on Trade Me for $186. Debby also created a ‘Dr Ashley Bear’ that sold for $500, which Debby kindly donated to the Centre. The purchaser of the bear has gifted him to the children's cancer ward at Christchurch Hospital.

Jacinda Bear - SOLD

Friends in the window card/print series  
Kate Willis fell in love with the Champion Centre back in 2015, when she was a volunteer.
‘Every person I met in the Centre had a heart of gold and was passionate about what they did, and the children never failed to put a smile on my face with their excitement and contagious energy,’ says Kate.

From her experience, Kate was surprised to find out that the Champion Centre wasn't fully funded. ‘The work they do is so valuable and life-changing for each small person who is able to attend the Centre. As I began looking for placements through my Arts Therapy study in 2019, I once again sought out the Champion Centre’.

Kate has been an intern at the Centre for just under a year and still loves the place just as much as she did a few years back.  ‘Through the pandemic, I saw a lot of charities were struggling with limited opportunities to fundraise. I decided I wanted to do something even if it was small to make a difference. Art is one of my passions, and through walking around my neighbourhood during the lockdown, the inspiration came to me. The idea that I could create a product that could be a memento to people from this time in isolation and help even just a few people in this strange and hard time,’ says Kate.
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Friends in the window series:
30% of all the profits go to a charitable organisation, of which the Champion Centre is one.
To place an order go to www.katewillisartist.com
 

Beautiful hats for babies

​Another of our talented supporters, Ali, has knitted a selection of hats and headbands in appropriate sizes for our babies, including premature babies. All are available for a gold coin donation at the Centre.