Ryman residents and staff raise $260,000 for brain research

Ryman residents and staff raise $260,000 for brain research

Residents and staff at Ryman Healthcare’s 28 retirement village raised a record $260,000 for the Neurological Foundation which will be used to fund research into brain disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Foundation executive director Max Ritchie said the funding was a great boost for the charitable foundation.

“In the 12 months since last July, Ryman staff and residents have united in all fashions of fundraising, from cake stalls and market days, to happy hours and head-shaving.’’

“We have been truly humbled by the villages’ dedication to raising money to support the Neurological Foundation’s work.’’

“Ryman Healthcare’s dollar-for-dollar commitment means the total amount is a record, and we are thrilled to be able to allocate every cent of the $260,000 raised to fund the best brain research in New Zealand.’’

Ryman Healthcare managing director Simon Challies said more than 10,000 people turning up to hear dementia speaker Dr Helena Popovic speak about how to keep your brain healthy as part of the partnership with the Neurological Foundation.

“It has been a great partnership, I know our residents and staff have benefited as well. We’ve been pleased to support such a great charity with a team of committed volunteers around the country,’’ Mr Challies said.

The New Zealand Red Cross has been selected as Ryman’s new charity partner, Mr Challies said.

“The Red Cross is celebrating its centenary this year and we know it has touched the lives of many of our residents and their families. From prisoner-of-war parcels through to meals-on-wheels and disaster relief after the Canterbury earthquakes and recent floods in Dunedin and Whanganui, the Red Cross is always there. We’re proud to support them and we’ll do our best to beat this year’s total.’’
New Zealand Red Cross president Jenny McMahon said she is delighted the residents and management at Ryman have chosen to support Red Cross.
“Partners like Ryman are helping us to provide vital services in New Zealand and around the world and their support in our one hundredth year sets us on a great path for continuing our humanitarian work for another century.
“Many thanks to Ryman Healthcare for choosing Red Cross. I am looking forward to our new partnership and joining in some of your exciting fundraising events over the next year,” said Dr McMahon.

Ryman has picked a charity partner for the past 15 years and in that time has donated $2.1 million for various charities. Each year the company matches the amount raised by residents and staff dollar for dollar.

About Ryman Healthcare: Ryman was founded in 1984 and has become one of New Zealand’s largest listed companies. The company owns 28 villages and serves over 8,500 residents in New Zealand and Australia. Each village offers a combination of retirement living and aged care.

ends

© Scoop Media