Media Release
22 August 2007

SKYCITY Celebrates Community Grants Galore

A diverse collection of people from doctors to dancers, singers to scientists, lifeguards to librarians, came together last night at SKYCITY for a common reason - to celebrate being successful recipients of the 2007 SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust funding round.

A congratulatory function was held to recognise the 109 community groups and charitable organisations across Auckland and Northland that shared $23 million in grants in the Trust's twelfth annual funding round. Over 200 people attended the function - plus two dogs from the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People NZ. Successful recipients also provided entertainment for the event - the 'Bring it On' urban dance group mentors and The Southern Cross Korean Performing Arts Group.

SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust Chairman Jock Irvine says he was "delighted to meet the wide range of organisations and community groups that will benefit from the funding".

"This year's successful recipients have come from a variety of sectors including health, education, tourism, arts, culture and entertainment".

"Highlights in this year's funding round include $70,000 towards upgrading MOTAT's science exhibition 'interaction area', $50,000 to the Foundation for Youth Development towards Project K - an inspirational programme designed to help teenagers to reach their potential, $37,700 to the Auckland Dance Festival Trust to purchase 1000 complimentary tickets for the elderly of Auckland and $30,100 towards the purchase of a mobile education trailer for Surf Life Saving Northern Region".

"The $2.3 million in grants awarded in 2007 brings the total amount the Trust has distributed since it was established in 1996 to over $17 million," says Mr Irvine.

For more information about the Trust please visit www.skycityauckland.co.nz

Central Auckland grant highlights include:
* $33,634 to the Carlson School of Cerebral Palsy for specialised communication devices to help the children in their programme communicate better
* $26,875 towards casting and bronzing the Unitec Marae's Poutokomanawa (heart pole)
* $19,854 to Lifeline for a marketing campaign to create more awareness of their services
* $18,000 to the Auckland Children's Parade Trust towards constructing a new float for the annual Farmers Santa Parade
* $11,880 to the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to train a puppy for a recipient in the Auckland area.

South Auckland grant highlights include:
* $150,000 to the South Auckland Health Foundation for a targeted oral health promotion programme to educate parents and children on dental care
* $30,000 to TaPasefika Health Trust for six body composition analyser machines to support the Trust's initiatives to reduce obesity and to improve the effectiveness of the weight management programmes run by the community dietician
* $15,000 to the Monte Cecilia Housing Trust as a contribution towards their Housing Support Service that acts as an emergency housing provider
* $5,000 to the Life Education Trust South-East Auckland for children's books that reinforce learning achieved in the mobile classroom.

West Auckland grant highlights include:
* $70,000 to the Friendship Care Trust to help towards purchasing five houses in West Auckland to be used as affordable rental properties for families in need
* $25,000 to 'Bring it On' to fund the lighting hire for the high school based urban dance competition
* $21,966 to the Lopdell House Gallery towards new lighting for Waitakere City's regional art gallery
* $2,000 to C.A.R.E Waitakere Trust as a contribution towards counselling services.

North Shore grant highlights include:
* $100,000 to North Shore Hospital Foundation towards the purchase of specialist cardiac medical equipment
* $17,383 to the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education & Recreation Centre for the purchase of two new inflatable boats
* $5,000 to the North Shore Hospice Trust for new office furniture
* $2,500 to the North Shore Multiple Sclerosis Society towards advertising costs for the 'Art of MS Exhibition 2007'.

Northland highlights include:
* $75,000 was awarded to The Centre at Kerikeri towards the purchase of a high quality Steinway piano
* $30,000 to the Jane Gifford Restoration Trust to assist the restoration of the historic scow's hull
* $2,058 to the Kerikeri Retirement Village to purchase tilt-in-space shower commode
* $1,900 to assist Age Concern Mid North with their 'Safe With Age' driving refresher course
* $490 to Waipu Playcentre to purchase new books.

ENDS

See... Full Recipients List (PDF)

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