Well well well… we’re the Well Foundation

Well well well… we’re the Well Foundation

A dynamic new charity – the Well Foundation – has launched and is ready to help Waitemata District Health Board meet its promise of “best care for everyone”.

Well Foundation CEO Andrew Young says the new fundraising entity is a powerhouse of talented people with skill, expertise, vision and a deep passion for our local communities.

Set up as an independent charitable trust, the foundation will work strategically with the DHB to raise funds for major projects that support innovation, smart use of technology and new initiatives that will enable the DHB to be a leader in healthcare The new foundation, championed by Waitemata DHB Chair Dr Lester Levy, is a key part of his aspiration to see the DHB continue its turnaround and become the leader in New Zealand’s health sector.

Mr Young says Dr Levy and Waitemata DHB CEO Dr Dale Bramley strongly endorsed the concept for the Well Foundation – one fundraising body to serve and have strategic overview of the entire DHB – after taking stock of the gains the DHB had made in the last few years.

“Waitemata has gone from the bottom of the performance table to the top, and Dr Levy and Dr Bramley have assessed that it’s time to establish a new, fresh and highly focused foundation to take the DHB even further ahead."

“The Well Foundation marries beautifully with the Waitemata DHB in terms of our shared values, growth aspirations and bold future,” Mr Young says.

Waitemata DHB will be responsible for providing core items to run the health service, with the Well Foundation stepping in to provide the “icing on the cake” on agreed new projects and technology, equipment or models of care that will help make the DHB an innovative national leader.

“Where we step in is funding for something brand new for the Waitemata DHB, whether that’s new equipment, a brand new service, staff upskilling, a new model of care, research or technology that’s never been seen before in this region or in this country,” Mr Young says.

The Well Foundation will raise funds through activities including donations from grateful patients, families and generous donors, mail appeals, events, corporate sponsorship and trust and foundation grants.

The fresh-­thinking new charity has already attracted star ambassadors in Olympic discus thrower Beatrice Faumuinā and Breakers basketball star Tom Abercrombie.

It also has a vibrant, high-­calibre core team and local board, which will prioritise fundraising projects that drive innovation and advance healthcare for local people.

Dr Levy, Dr Bramley and Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Brant will sit on Well Foundation’s board to provide a direct line to the Waitemata DHB’s top priorities for new projects.

The Waitemata DHB runs the North Shore and Waitakere hospitals as well as community-­based health services in the region.

The Well Foundation replaces two previous entities, the North Shore Hospital Foundation and the West Auckland Health Services Foundation, which both operated independently for over a decade in support of the DHB.

Mr Young says the emergence of the Well Foundation builds on the good work of the previous foundations and spells an exciting new era for Waitemata DHB and he looks forward to spreading the word and raising support for local communities.

ENDS

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