Angelman Today January / February edition 2014 | Page 20

Otorcross

www.angelmannetwork.com

Fundraising — and other side-effects
All support organizations have
their own formal set of aims and
objectives, programmes and plans —
and all require funds to action them.
Fundraising involves time and effort,
which has the potential to lead to
more stress. However It is often
intriguing and sometimes uncanny,
how a good fundraiser is able to
generate many other spin-offs that
are often unexpected but ultimately
positive for all involved.
In New Zealand, our population is
just under 4.5million. It has become a
cliché to say that the ‘six degrees of
separation’ that supposedly connect
every human being on the planet are
reduced to two in ‘Godzone’. Most of
us have either met the Prime Minister, know an All Black, or have a
friend or family member who knows
a NZ ‘celebrity’. This works to our
advantage when raising national
awareness about AS.
In this vein, The Angelman Network
is fortunate to have many enthusiastic families across the country who
have initiated a variety of very
successful, enjoyable and different
fundraisers: all with a Kiwi flavour
and wonderful ‘side-effects’. Apart
from the funds raised, they have
served to distribute our AS information, raise awareness, encourage
local community support, generate a
wider public interest in AS and
strengthen our networks. In time,
this positive ripple effect will filter
back to create helpful changes for
our angels and families, nation wide.
Our first IAD event triggered some
creative celebratory initiatives that

involved angel-mufti days at schools
and workplaces, a formal movie
night, market stalls, raffles, and
Trademe auctions. Families were
very proactive with the media, resulting in eight newspaper articles that
reached out to thousands of readers
across the country.
Angel Kaya with donated goods

In March, Nadine Henderson facilitated a hugely successful Charity
Auction at her work’s annual conference. This brought in over $30K and
spread awareness across Assurity’s
nation-wide offices, as well as to all
the various businesses who had
kindly donated goods.

Laura Green’s family live on a large
farm in a rural district. They love the
outdoors and Motorcross and their
unique Racing event for adults and
children in honour of their angel,
Lexy, was extremely well supported.
With an entry fee, refreshments and
raffles for sale, it was a memorable
family day that strengthened ties
within their local community.

Kathryn Cherie-Hope was inspired to
organise a 15km Walkathon in her
local district. It was a well received
social event that also promoted this
powerful message:

“We have chosen a 15 km walk
because it is the 15th chromosome
that is affected in AS; but also to
symbolise the difficulty and length
of time it takes our AS children to
learn to walk, and the strength and
determination it takes to get there.”
- Kathryn Cherie-Hope

Kathryn with angel Joel

Kathryn’s informative article which
appear ed in a local newspaper and
online, and was recently spotted by
Attitude TV who are interested in
an interview in the New Year—an
opportunity to share her story as
an angel-mum, with the nation.
Looking back at 2013, it is very
encouraging to see how much
groundwork has been covered in
diverse social sectors, through
these family fundraising endeavours; and we thank our families for
that. We will soon be depositing
the takings from our Christmas
Collection Buckets - a very fruitful
Shopping Mall fundraiser made
possible by Neil and Louise Alcock.
On track with achieving our aims
and objectives, 2014 is the year
The Angelman Network proposes
to focus on a pro-active plan for
our involvement in AS Research.
‘Hope reigns Supreme’.
[Ursula Cranmer, Chairperson ]