NZ Bosses And Athletes Taking the Plunge for Kiwi Kids

NZ Bosses And Athletes Taking the Plunge for Kiwi Kids

Two Auckland Blues coaches, two Kiwi Ferns and over 20 bosses have signed up to drop from the top for the Graeme Dingle Foundation

On Thursday the 8th of June, New Zealand athletes, bosses and community goers will plummet 192 metres from the top of the Sky Tower at 85km/hour as part of the ‘Drop Your Boss’ campaign to support the Graeme Dingle Foundation.

Through the experience of being ‘dropped’ from the tallest building in Auckland, Drop Your Boss provides the chance to understand and live the challenges many young people face on a daily basis.

Amongst those dropping include, Alistair Rogers and Steve Jackson, both much loved members of the Blues rugby coaching staff, as well as Kiwi Fern stars, Georgia Hale and Madison Bartlett.

With both the Blues and Kiwi Ferns placing huge emphasis on community involvement, coupled with the fact they are already sporting inspirations for young New Zealanders, this event is a great opportunity for them to assist in raising funds for a charity that works to motivate and inspire young Kiwi kids and to help them cope with anything life throws at them.

It’s not however, just bosses and athletes who will be jumping. For the likes of everyday Kiwis such as Michelle Stewart and Melissa Atama, the opportunity to inspire and empower kids through the support of the Graeme Dingle Foundation, is one they could not pass up.

South Auckland’s Michelle Stewart is a mum of three who suffers from chronic pain and also has a fear of heights. She is jumping to show her kids that, despite her own personal troubles, she can rise to any challenge, therefore, encouraging her kids to do the same.

Similarly, Melissa Atama, the Deputy Chair of Weymouth Primary in Manukau, has registered to jump to tackle the issue of school bullying and encourage kids to step out of their comfort zones.

Some of the registered leaders who are set to face their fears for the Foundation include Matt Crockett, Chief Executive of Building Products at Fletcher Building, Vikki Maclean, Partner of Kerridge & Partners, Rob Clark, Managing Director of Neilsen, and at 71 years of age, jumping for the third time, Graeme Dingle himself.

Jenny Stiles, Graeme Dingle Foundation CEO, says she’s delighted with the calibre of volunteers and leaders stepping out of their comfort zone to support and encourage young Kiwis.

“We help change the lives of Kiwi kids by building up their confidence and skills through physical and mental challenges; enabling them to develop core life skills and a sense of direction and to build resilience. We are thrilled the 2017 participants have embraced the challenge, acting as role models for our kids, as well as encouraging others to support the Graeme Dingle Foundation.”

Foundation co-founder and namesake, Graeme Dingle, says this event is exactly what his organisation works to achieve on a daily basis.

“A key part in the success of the organisation’s programmes is challenging young people to change their perceptions of what they think they can achieve – which makes this unique and novel fundraising event such a great fit. Investing in our country’s youth is the best investment New Zealand can make,” adds Graeme.

The Graeme Dingle Foundation’s aim is to set young people up with a strong platform for adult life and a career through building resilience, confidence and essential life skills. This year, the need for resilience is even greater with the lasting impact and uncertainty created by earthquakes and floods, the rise of homelessness, and the ongoing consequences of social media – all these factors have hit our children and young people hard.

All funds raised go towards the transformation of young Kiwi lives by supporting the Graeme Dingle Foundation. Every $1 invested in Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes results in an average long-term benefit to New Zealand of an estimated $7.15*.

The New Zealand public can also support all droppers by donating https://givealittle.co.nz/event/dropyourboss2017/fundraisers.

The list of registered fearless 2017 participants include:

• Alistair Rogers – Blues Rugby

• Angela Dalton – Chair of the Graeme Dingle Foundation, Auckland

• Angus Keer-Keer – SAP NZ

• Anne-Marie Stade – Collucio Fitness

• Antonia Baker – Property Market

• CDR Quentin Randall – New Zealand Royal Navy

• Demond Moemoe – Clendon Park School

• Georgia Hale – Kiwi Fern

• Kelly Bennett – One Plus One Communications

• Madison Bartlett – Kiwi Fern

• Matt Crockett – Fletcher Building

• Melissa Atama – Weymouth Primary School

• Michelle Stewart – Collucio Fitness

• Michael Jonas – Chapman Tripp

• Peter Norris – Squirrel Mortgages

• Rob Clark - Neilsen

• Regan Wallis & Caz Laramy – Kmart NZ

• Steve Jackson – Blues Rugby

• Tim Chesterfield – Perpetual Guardian

• Vikki Maclean – Kerridge & Partners

• Oji Fibre Solutions

ENDS

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