Sugar Ray Leonard – fighting for New Zealand’s youth

Background

One gutsy woman is tackling youth issues in Ngaruawahia and Huntly head-on by getting them off the streets after school and giving them something to do.

Through her work as an after school care teacher, along with her husband’s role as a local detective, Leah Crawford knows firsthand the ongoing problems that can be associated with boredom, lack of supervision and gang affiliations and she’s determined to do something about it.

So determined that she doesn’t take no for an answer easily.

A chance meeting with world boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard at the Ngaruawahia BP, saw her bowl on over and ask him if he’d help the project by coming and talking to the youth of Ngaruawahia and Huntly on his next visit to inspire and encourage them.

He said yes and the rest is history, Sugar Ray Leonard is coming to Huntly and Ngaruawahia on the 28th and 29th June, 2010.

So what’s this all about?

Leah’s aim is to keep the kids of Ngaruawahia and Huntly busy, engaged and off the streets through after school and school holiday programmes run by Kelly Sports (Waikato Rugby Union).

Leah isn’t fighting alone. She enlisted the support of the Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) to provide the structure and capability to make this possible.

FYD run proven school-based programmes throughout New Zealand and their Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K programmes are delivered in the Waikato area by FYD Waikato, expansion into the Huntly and Ngaruawahia area with FYD’s community development strategy looks promising.

‘Fighting for our Youth’ has also generated a strong line-up of local sponsors. With Gallagher Group the major sponsor along with Grassroots Trust and Brooklands Lodge.

Itinerary

Leah plans to keep Sugar Ray Leonard very busy!

Monday 28/06/10
Sugar Ray Leonard will address an exclusive Black Tie Charity Dinner at 6.00pm for 50 invited guests who will have the opportunity to be seated and photographed with Sugar Ray Leonard. Sugar Ray will speak and be part of a Q & A segment. The evening will be hosted by MC Graeme Osborne, CEO of Auckland Tourism.

The proceeds of this charity dinner ($1000 per person) will help enable the youth of Ngaruawahia and Huntly to attend Kelly Sports After School and School Holiday Programme.

Tuesday 29/06/10
Sugar Ray Leonard will be hosted by Kiingi Tuheitia at the Turangawaewae Marae at 11.00am.

The Maori King will host an exclusive lunch for 25 invited guests. Following lunch, Sugar Ray will provide a motivational address for 100s of students from Ngaruawahia and Huntly Schools. Sugar Ray will also give support and help to promote the vision for the youth of Ngaruawahia and Huntly.

Leah and FYD’s Vision

Having seen first-hand the positive results that are possible, Leah’s vision is to get the youth of Ngaruawahia and Huntly off the streets and into fun based after school and school holiday programmes. Which ties in perfectly with FYD’s vision, to help our young people realise their full potential.

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