Good Causes

Below is some details of great causes that we encourage you to get behind.

September 2010

Wed 1st is world random act of kindness day where people are encouraged to do stuff like, pick  flowers and gives them to a friend or adopt a secret RAK buddy for the day and do random nice stuff to them all day.  For more ideas head to http://www.rak.co.nz/

Mon 6th is the beginning of Stroke Awareness Week.

Stroke is the third largest killer in New Zealand (more than 2000 people every year). One third of strokes are attributable to high blood pressure  so one very helpful thing to do is to get our blood pressure checked. A person with high blood pressure is up to seven times more likely to have a stroke than someone with normal or low blood pressure.

Tue 14^th is Maori Language Day
Wed 15th is Leukaemia Awareness day
Mon 20th is the beginning of Deaf Awareness Week
Tue 21^st is World Alzheimer’s Day
Fri 24^th holidays start! and Sun 26th daylight saving starts.

NZ Spinal Trust

We are super proud to support this Trust by twice yearly,(July 12th and December 8th), selling tickets to a gift hamper where all monies raised will go to “The NZ Spinal Trust”

We’d welcome any gifts for the hamper which could include things relevant to your business, discount vouchers etc or it could be something like a shirt you bought but never wear, a bottle of wine you were given but will never drink, a good book that you’ve already read – anything and everything would be appreciated!

The NZ Spinal Unit does some amazing work for people who are trying to put their lives back together after shattering accidents and illnesses which render them paralysed. Not unlike the 20 week competition they do everything they can to encourage their members to be the best they can be and we are very proud to be supporting them in this small way.  www.nzspinaltrust.org.nz .

If you’d like to add something to the hamper please drop anything off or send to our offices at Elite Fitness, 155 Montreal Street, Christchurch.  Please attach your name to any donations so we can personally thank you

If you’d like to purchase tickets for the hamper just send an email to info@catchfitness and we will organize it for you.

Please give generously to a charity that is close to our hearts – More guide dog puppies = more guide dogs.  Make a donation at http://www.redpuppy.org.nz/

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Be part of a wonderful youth mentoring programme.  For more info check out http://www.bbbsncanty.co.nz/bbbs/

FITNESS EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Cher Hunter is trying to locate any old or extra fitness equipment that can either get donated or sold(tiny budget) to ComCare Trust to help support people with Mental illness.

They need mats, jump ropes, dumbells, swiss balls, weights and machinery, carpet and wall mirrors so anything would be greatly appreciated.

If you think you may be able to help out please email cher@somebody.co.nz

RAISING MONEY FOR THE HEART FOUNDATION

Last year Riwai Grace and his family (who were entrants in the 20Weeks comp season 4) raised $1500 for the Heart Foundation by being Heart Racers and competing the City2Surf. Last year Riwai Grace ran the event in a Pink Tutu – this year he is striding out in a Green Tutu to promote moving forward to a healthier heart! His wife Cate will be pushing her 84yr old nana in a wheelchair. Ngaire suffered a stroke in 2002 and didn’t want to miss out on all the fun!

There are wonderful ways for you to be involved;

1. Donate money for this great cause by visiting http://www.heartracer.org…nz/leap2it/

2. Donate goods & services to be auctioned on Trademe – with 100% of proceeds going to the Heart Foundation

3. Bid on a cool bunch of goodies on Trade Me – Search HEART FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER from 7pm Sunday 14th Feb …

Our first two items are a Signed Crusaders Jersey (worth $300) and a Catch Fitness Prize Pack (worth $200.00)

4. Start up your own fundraising page http://www.heartracer.org.nz/fundraise/selectevent.asp !

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke & blood vessel disease) is the single leading cause of death in New Zealand. It causes 40 percent of all deaths annually in our country – making it more deadly than all forms of cancer. Many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

So leap to it and help us win the fight against heart disease in New Zealand!

LIGHTEN UP A LIFE

Divine Mercy is a primary school in Uganda of some 160 pupils, about 30% are classified as ‘vulnerable’ which basically means they are unable to pay their fees.

In 2007 with the kind support of many of their friends and family members Kris Tynan and Tim Webster funded the construction of a new dorm and classroom, painted the school and filled in the holes in the classroom floors, supplied desks and benches, and bought sufficient textbooks for there to be at least one between 2 or 3 pupils.

Last year  they collected around 4 cubic metres of second hand children’s books in NZ and shipped them to the school.

This coming year 2010, they plan to repaint and make good repairs to the classrooms again, complete another new dorm and supply beds for it and the big project; set up a farm of pigs, chickens and crops so that they can make some money and be more self sufficient.

If would like to donate to this worthy cause please click here www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/lightenup

100% of the monies raised go to these children.