Media Release
02 April 2008
Harveys Stepping Stone Foundation Helps Kiwis Achieve Big Dreams
A year after it was set up to help New Zealanders achieve big goals the Harveys Stepping Stone Foundation has quickly
helped turn dreams into reality.
Established in January 2007 by Harveys Real Estate with a community focus to give those with a real need a step up, the
charitable trust makes a big impact at home and abroad.
In its first year the Stepping Stone Foundation has distributed around $35,000 to individuals across a wide age group
looking to achieve at a local, national or international level, or even just to fulfill a long-held dream.
One of the most recent recipients, Auckland registered nurse Desiree Stewart, had the dream of returning to Africa,
where she grew up as a child, to help children left orphaned by the AIDS epidemic.
With the help of the Harveys Stepping Stone Foundation, Desiree received $2,110 to fund her travel and she now works as
a Medical Coordinator in Uganda, teaching African nurses how to effectively assess and treat the 1700 AIDS orphans in
the three villages they are responsible for.
Foundation Chairman Bruce Coutts says the Harveys Stepping Stone Foundation was set up to help those in the community
who have a goal and genuinely can not afford to make it happen.
“It may be sports or health related – anything. Perhaps there’s a child who is excelling in a particular sport but their
family just can’t afford to take them to the next level,” he says. “Particularly if the child has a chance to compete at
a national level, we’d be happy to take a look at it because we may be able to help,” he says.
Coutts says they are also open to looking at applications from parents with a sick child whose dream is to get well
again. “That would be the ultimate really - helping a sick child get better,” says Mr Coutts.
Although many of the recipients so far have been young, Coutts says there is no age restriction. “There just seems to be
more young people coming to us for help,” he says. “The main requirement is that the need must be genuine,” says Coutts.
The Harveys Stepping Stone Foundation has five trustees who are all members of the Harveys Group. They are based in
various regions including; Christchurch, Kapiti, Hawkes Bay, West Auckland and Central Auckland.
The Harveys Real Estate Group has long been involved in philanthropic activities, and has become a major supporter of
community organisations throughout New Zealand, with a focus on the youth in society such as schools, individuals, youth
aid groups and community support organisations.
“Stepping Stone provides a fantastic opportunity for all of us at Harveys to put back into our communities under a
national charitable identity,” says Harveys CEO Ross Hunter.
The trustees meet twice yearly to consider applications. To apply, visit www.harveys.co.nz for an application form.
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arminl@xtra.co.nz