Connect 27

Celebrating 2025 at the Champion Centre – A Year of Growth and Connection

As we wrap up 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredible year at the Champion Centre, one filled with progress, collaboration, and beautiful moments with our tamariki and whānau. 

Looking Back 

This year, we laid strong foundations for the future. Together, we developed our new strategy and core values, ensuring that everything we do reflects our purpose: Creating hope and communities where every child can thrive. Our values, expressed in both English and Te Reo Māori, were shaped with input from staff, whānau, and Tangata Whenua, and will guide us into the future.

Some of our proudest achievements include: 

• High whānau satisfaction and positive feedback about our services.  

• Being fully staffed and welcoming new team members – Mari, Kirstin, Danielle, and Kat – who bring fresh energy and expertise. 

• Strengthening our Physiotherapy service, with Ashleigh stepping up as Senior Physiotherapist.

• A successful AGM, where families, staff, and supporters came together to celebrate our shared vision.  

• Launching new initiatives like the Junior Music Group.  

  
  

Looking Ahead 

2026 promises even more exciting developments:

• We will begin challenging our current service delivery model to ensure it is best (wise) practice and meets the needs of whānau and tamariki.  

• Increased whānau involvement through co-design, ensuring your voices continue to shape what we do.

• Growing fundraising efforts and partnerships to sustain and expand our services, in part through the appointment of a fundraising manager Dave Marsh, who will join the team in January.

• A brand-new website and updated branding to better reflect the vibrant Champion Centre community. 

  
  

Thank You 

To our families, you are the heart of everything we do. Your trust, feedback, and partnership inspire us every day. To our staff and supporters, your dedication and generosity make our mission possible.From all of us at the Champion Centre, thank you for being part of this journey. We wish you a joyful holiday season and for those of you returning, we look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year for the next chapter. For those of you moving on, we wish you every success for the future

Ngā mihi nui,Deb Nind CEO and The Champion Centre Team 

Centre Happenings

Family Christmas Party

The Champion Center whānau Christmas Party was held in early December and was a fantastic evening. Over 130 parents, caregivers, children and extended whānau came and celebrated.

Our long serving Santa spent the evening having his photo taken (thank you to our photographer Andrew Delaney), while Melanie Poppins was back with her super cool magic show. The BBQ was provided by local Lions Club members, while the delicious finger food was generously donated by Michael Patterson from the Commodore Hotel.

The Christmas party is a great time of relaxed chats and connecting and we send our thanks and appreciation to all involved, from our Musical Play Specialists to the staff helping in the background and on the evening and of course, to all of our incredible whānau.

2025 Annual Appeal

As we wrap up another incredible year at The Champion Centre, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our 2025 Christmas Appeal. 

Whether you donated, shared our message, or volunteered your time, you’ve played a vital role in creating a more inclusive community.

After a last-minute donation, together we raised $40,119! From all of us at the Champion Centre, thank you for being part of this journey. We couldn’t do it without you!

Festive Giving

A huge thank you to the Lions Club of Christchurch and Santa Claus Workshop Trust for providing beautiful wooden toys to pass on to our whānau. This was such a lovely way to end the year. 

Alfie’s Journey: Three Years On

Three years ago, we sat down with Alfie’s mum Lu, to talk about his early development and the challenges they faced. Today, we’re catching up again to hear just how far Alfie has come and what life looks like now.

When we last spoke, Alfie was rolling but not crawling and due to his vision impairment, his world was limited to everything right in front of him. Fast forward to now, and things have changed dramatically.

“He’s four and a half now,” his mum tells us. “Back then, he couldn’t crawl, and now he’s all over the house! He pulls himself up to stand and has just started coasting along furniture. He’s got such a wicked sense of humour. Typical four-year-old stuff like fart noises crack him up. Blow a raspberry on his tummy and he’s in hysterics.”

Seeing Alfie’s personality shine through has been the highlight for Lu. 

“Before, his whole world was anything in front of him. Now, he can see a toy across the room and if he wants it, he’ll go for it. He loves water, any puddle outside and he’s in it. He’s so cheeky. If you’re talking to someone else, he’ll pull your head so you’re looking at him like, ‘Mum, pay me attention.’”

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Hospital visits remain tough, and therapy sessions can be overwhelming for Alfie.  

“I wish I could explain, ‘Mate, you love to walk this is walking!’ But I can’t. So, I have to balance pushing him gently while showing him I hear him, because if I don’t, he’ll lose trust.”

When asked about the Champion Centre’s role, her response is immediate.

“Invaluable. They wrap support around you like no other service…The family support team has helped me process grief and navigate the future. Their whānau-focused approach is incredible. They meet you where you’re at, adapt goals, and never pressure you.”

Alfie’s journey is a story of resilience, personality, and the power of support. His mum sums it up perfectly.

“Proud is an understatement. I don’t have the words to explain how proud I am. It’s a whole different level when you see your child go from a shell to their own little human being.” 

Can you help support our vital work?

For over 45 years we have provided essential support to infants and young children with disabilities and developmental delays. 

Every year we work towards reducing our annual shortfall. With the help of our generous community, we are able to continue providing the early intervention our families have come to expect from the Champion Centre.

Would you like to help further? Get in touch or donate below.

Donate today