Previous Recipients
Autumn 08 Recipients
We are delighted to announce the following women and organisations as our Autumn 08 recipients of funding from the Max Foundation for New Zealand Women Trust.
We think you’ll agree they absolutely embody the spirit of the Foundation and we are thrilled to be able to provide them support to enable them to achieve their goals.
Pink Pilates - Lou James
Pink Pilates, founded by Auckland physiotherapist and Pilates clinician Lou James, is a fitness programme dedicated to helping women diagnosed with breast cancer. Pink Pilates is designed to facilitate recovery from surgery and prevent common side effects that go along with cancer treatment.
Pink Pilates is about empowering women, allowing breast cancer sufferers to regain their physical strength, improve their body confidence and incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. Currently run out of the Ponsonby Pilates studio re:ab, Lou is raising money to develop a Pink Pilates training program to help breast cancer sufferers throughout New Zealand.
The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women has pledged $8,500 to help Pink Pilates achieve this goal.
Andrea Miller
Olympic hopeful hurdler Andrea Miller wouldn’t let a few bumps in the road stop her from becoming a champion athlete.
In the lead up to the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games Andrea fell during a training session and was seriously injured, resulting in surgery in 2003 to relieve a compressed nerve. Struck by another blow she was told by her surgeon that she would never again be able to compete as a 100m hurdler. Not allowing her dream to be crushed she persevered and after two years of rehabilitation Andrea has gone on to break the New Zealand National Record five times and the New Zealand Resident Record twice.
The next stage of Andrea’s journey is to attempt to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.
The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women has pledged $4,000 to help with funding for Andrea’s trip to Europe so she can meet her goal of qualify for the Beijing Olympics later this year.
Shining Stars - Kath Dyer
Shining Stars is a youth mentoring program which matches 10 at risk young girls with 10 successful young women in study.
Run by the Napier Family Centre, a not for profit social services organisation, the Shining Stars Mentor program aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by today’s youth by having them participate in a wide range of activities specifically designed to promote valuable life skills and high self esteem.
The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women has pledged $2,500 towards the development of the Shining Stars Mentor Programme workshops along with $1,000 worth of Max clothing vouchers for the dedicated Shining Stars mentors.
Kelly Thompson
Wellington artist, illustrator and photographer Kelly Thompson recently had her first art exhibition in Wellington. On the success of the Wellington exhibition she has made plans to show her beautiful, fashion inspired art in Auckland during Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2008.
The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women has pledged $1,700 towards materials and set up costs for her exhibition at Air New Zealand Fashion Week in September.
Shona Haywood (Max Cashel Street), Christine Goldie (Max Merivale) & Debbie Tooby (Max VIP)
Shona Haywood (Cashel Street manager), Christine Goldie (Merivale manager) and Debbie Tooby (a Max VIP) are going to be competing in the MacPac Spring Challenge in September. This is a six hour team event whereby the three women have to stay together to enable them to work as a team, as they battle through river rafting, orienteering and mountain biking.
The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women is delighted to support Shona & Chris to the value of $2,000 which will assist them as they prepare for the MacPac Spring Challenge. We wish you ladies all the best and look forward to hearing how you get on!
Waana Ngaruhe (Max Te Rapa)
Waana Ngaruhe from our Te Rapa Store is a team member of a local Whanau netball team. Their team is called Whakamarama Shiloh and has been competing in local competitions since the 1970’s. Due to their Kaumatua (their elders) wanting to build their Marae, their team donated all the money they had and sold their uniforms to help raise funds for the Marae.
The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women is delighted to support Waana’s Local Whanau Netball team to the value of $500 to go towards fees and uniforms.