In 2010
We've taken the
Drug Free message
to over 2125 teens
In 2010
We've taken the
Drug Free message
to over 2125 teens
Greetings to all as we fast approach Christmas. It has been an insane year. Not a real fan of winter anyway but it seemed to drag on forever and now the Buckley clan are anticipating and pining for finer weather to arrive. I can dust off my speedos (kidding) and throw on some sun sunscreen and replenish the vitamin D levels which have nearly been depleted over the last couple of months. I am sure for the first few weeks; people may mistake me for a tattooed albino.
All is well in our household. My dear wife Karen is about to finish her last 2 weeks completing a Health Care Assistant Certification at Windermere Polytechnic. She has been working at Althorpe Village for several months so if and when I get too old, she will have all the skills and know how on how to wipe the dribble off my chin and push me around on a zimmer frame. Karen loves her work and is a wonderful carer for the elderly folk.
Josh has been working as a labourer at a local development called Coast Papamoa where he is utilised for all sorts of odd jobs. He is saving some money before he applies for the army in the New Year. Chloe finished school on Thursday and will have 2 external exams for NCEA Level 1 and then she is finished for 2009. Where does the time go? Bianca is finishing her year 7 schooling (that's Form 1 for us old folk). She is nearly as tall as me now which doesn't say much. She has had a great year and is looking forward to Form 2. Seth has had a busy year at Selwyn Ridge and has just celebrated his 6th birthday. Ella turns five in December and will start at Selwyn Ridge in the New-year where Karen and I can then enjoy a little more peace and quiet.
We have a lot of great news to share so here we go.
In August, we completed our 8th week of 35 seminars in 7 schools within the Rotorua region with awesome results and Rotorua District Council requesting further presentations for 2010
Thanks so much to Juanita Conder from Rotorua District Council and Deb Bell for making this project happen.
The delivery of the Amped 4 Life programme included five x one hour presentations spent in the following schools:
1. Rotorua Boys High School
2. Rotorua Girls High School
3. John Paul College
4. Rotorua Lakes High School
5. Western Heights High School
6. Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Koutu
7. Reporoa College
Earlier this year, Amped4Life had the privilege of featuring in a documentary initiative Paul Holmes hosted and I featured on–a program which Rob Harley directed & put together on the substance called methamphetamine or "P".
In the documentary "Chasing the Ghost", Paul views the "P" issue through the eyes of people whose lives have been damaged by the drug and some of those trying to fight its effects.
As a result of this initiative, I was connected to a group of concerned and caring business men in Auckland which have formed a charitable trust called Stellar Trust to tackle this growing and insidious scourge on our communities.
The Stellar Trust Inc was established in November 2008 by the Rotary Club of Auckland East Inc to address the demand side of the effects on society of methamphetamine – the drug "P". The main object of the trust is to raise money from grants and fundraising activities to fund programmes that will in time lead to a major reduction in the usage of P, particularly by younger people.
The governance of the Stellar Trust Inc is comprised of a Patron, Judge Peter Boshier - Principal Family Court Judge, Chairman and Trustees supported by an Advisory Board:
The trust aims to foster a change in New Zealand society's attitude and behaviour towards the drug P – for the public to say "Enough – usage of P must stop!"
There is no one "silver bullet" that will produce the desired outcome overnight. However it is intended that funds will be used to provide:
The trust has initiated engagement with local and central Government to ensure that all parties' strategies to fight the use of the drug are harmonised and effective.
This is where Amped4Life has been able to play a big role and will ally itself with caring and concerned parents & grandparents to join forces to be part of the solution.
Statistics
Amped4Life has spoken to 20373 to Nov 10th
What an impact. This is fantastic and we are eager to reach even more young people in 2009. We still have a busy schedule between now and Christmas.
Funding - Many thanks to all that have been so generous in sowing into Amped4Life Trust and supporting what we do. There has been an overwhelming support from the community and we look forward to further ongoing partnerships.
Without your support, Amped4Life Trust could not do what we do. We are indebted to you for your faithfulness and support. Please be sure to know that you have had a part in making a difference in the High Schools with our young people. For this, we are grateful. We need the expertise and help of other organisations so that we may give the young people the very best teaching and education possible.
Many Thanks to all that have invested and sown into our vision. We now have the facility to donate via visa, PayPal or Direct deposit into Amped4Life.
If you have a desire to contribute to our mission to reach teenagers with a positive message, you can find out more on our website link
http://www.amped4life.net.nz/donate
To see the extended newsletter and testimonials Click Here (PDF file 770KB)
Well guys, that’s about all our news for 2009. What an incredible year. We just wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to you all for your passion and commitment to our cause so that young people can be better informed on the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse and the choices that they make.
May you all have an incredible Christmas and wonderful new year
Many thanks for your continued support - God Bless-Pat & Karen Buckley