A lesson in charity
Raising funds for charity can teach students just as much as a classroom lesson, Taranaki Futures general manager Warwick Foy says.
Taranaki Futures runs the Accelerator programme, which pairs students with employers to give them the skills needed to transition into the workforce, and this year those on the course have been encouraged to take part in the Little Fighters Fun Run on June 24.
‘‘It is important that young people learn about the concept of giving back,’’ Foy said.
‘‘Our young people can learn as much from this as they do from a conventional school lesson.’’
During the 10-week Accelerator programme students spend time with a business coach and hear from business leaders on different topics each Monday. It was during one of these sessions that coach and Little Fighters ambassador Dinnie Moeahu put the challenge out to students to be part of something beyond themselves.
Moeahu, who owns Dman Entertainment, told the students how the trust supported families going through hard times and issued a call to arms, requesting students find sponsorship for the fun run while at their work placements.
Moeahu said he got involved with the trust because it aligned with his core values. And as an ambassador Moeahu is doing all he can to help raise $80,000 for the trust to sponsor a room at Ronald McDonald House in Auckland.
‘‘I love working for the community, so I thought it was a win-win situation,’’ he said of being involved with the trust.
Throughout his time with Little Fighters, Moeahu has helped many families and said giving back to the community was very fulfilling, although many of the children that he met had now died.
Moeahu said the run, which will start at the Wind Wand on New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway and head to East End Surf Life Saving Club and back, was open to anyone in the community who wanted to support the trust.
Anyone wanting to help raise funds for the Little Fighters Trust or get involved in the fun run can visit taranakifutures.org.nz or head over to the Little Fighters Trust Facebook page.