Check out Wesley and his epic challenge to take on Rangitoto in support of Big Buddy.
We love that Wesley has shared his story with us and can't wait to get behind him. Check out his Givealittle page....
https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/20km-swim-around-rangitoto-island
Wellington coordinator Andrew Morrison says making great matches is the best buzz. He recently matched a 10-year-old Little Buddy with a fellow sports fanatic and they haven't slowed for breath. ""It was so cool seeing the LBs reaction when I did the match. He was so stoked. He took the BB into his room and showed him all his sports medals and cups - they were talking away in sports language. His Mum looked bewildered by it! Their first outing was the new BB going to see his LB play cricket - he saw him get a wicket - and the LB was so stoked to have his BB there to acknowledge and praise him. I think it's a keeper!""
Wellington coordinator Andrew Morrison says making great matches is the best buzz. He recently matched a 10-year-old Little Buddy with a fellow sports fanatic and they haven't slowed for breath. ""It was so cool seeing the LBs reaction when I did the match. He was so stoked. He took the BB into his room and showed him all his sports medals and cups - they were talking away in sports language. His Mum looked bewildered by it! Their first outing was the new BB going to see his LB play cricket - he saw him get a wicket - and the LB was so stoked to have his BB there to acknowledge and praise him. I think it's a keeper!""
Coordinator Martin Hosking did a lovely match last week where the young boy (almost eight) was hardly able to keep still, a mixture of shyness and excitement. ""He wandered and got distracted all around the room and the house, bringing the cat in to show us (he got a few scratches for his troubles), but when it came to decision time, he didnft hesitate, he was right there with a 'yes!'. Think it will go well."" Excellent!
We are still trucking along matching fatherless boys with mentors. Lots of great men are stepping up to become mentors but we always need more. We cover all of Auckland and all of Wellington ( up to the Kapiti Coast)
Big Buddy Fatherless Day Appeal For thousands of New Zealand boys, Fathers Day is not a celebration itfs just another reminder that they have no father in their lives. This is more than simply sad. Boys who grow up without fathers are at greater risk of developing behavioral disorders, abusing drink and drugs, attempting suicide, and committing crimes. The statistics on fatherless boys are compelling and heartbreaking. Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft tells us, 83% of the youth offenders he sees in his courts are male and 70% come from single parent families, that very few serious youth offenders come from stable, two-parent, homes. Judge Becroft says gOn the other hand, not every solo parent breeds a criminal. Nor am I making judgments about separation. What I am saying is that most serious young offenders lack a positive male role model.
Big Buddy on the wireless: 89.9 Times FM is doing a promo for us this week and next week. We have several of our BIg Buddies and their LIttle Buddies in the studio every day, talking about what Big Buddy means for them. The boys will get to play DJ for a wee while - cool .Have a listen or check them out on?www.timesfm.co.nz. Their great guys - we like them.
Big Buddy Christchurch; Hey we have an office space! Christchurch City Council offered us a subsidised office in their community house in Hereford Street. We are pretty sure we have a man in Christchurch to become our coorindator in 2009. Just working on funding it all.
