Testimonial From Paul Holmes, CNZM.
Monday, August 31, 2009.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
I first became aware of the work of Pat Buckley and his trust,
Amped4Life, earlier this year during the making of a documentary for
TVNZ called “Chasing the Ghost.” This documentary explored the
addictiveness and ravages of the drug “P,” or pure
methamphetamine, which has become a scourge upon New Zealand.
We filmed Pat speaking to a group of high school students. His
message is about making the right choices in life, particularly in
relation to “P,” alcohol and other drugs. I watched the students sit
transfixed as Pat delivered his no-holds-barred, fast paced, tough
address with a very graphic power-point presentation. Pat looks,
sounds, and is, the real deal. The students knew it. Pat had them in
the palm of his hand. I felt that day that Pat was one incredibly
effective speaker and that the students will never forget his address.
I have since arranged for Pat to speak to my son’s school in Havelock
North. The effect on the students there was exactly the same as it
was on the first occasion I saw him.
Pat is the kind of person we need needs to hammer into young
people the terrible effects drugs and wrong choices can have on their
lives. Pat himself made some terrible choices as a young man and has
been drug and alcohol free for over fourteen years. He is a good man
who loves his family.
I have no hesitation in recommending Pat Buckley as a guest speaker
to every school in the country. All of your young people should see
and hear Pat once. In fact, I think he should be compulsory.
I can be contacted at any time to discuss Pat at:
paulholmes@paulholmes.co.nz
Sincerely,
Paul Holmes.

Te Kura O Te Koutü-He Kura Kaupapa Maori
My enthusiasm for wanting our senior students to be included in this initiative is firstly, because of Pat Buckley who spoke here at school last year. Pat’s presentation was powerful and his stories about his experiences were frank and simply honest. His unique and stoic style of delivery captured each and every student, absorbed in the tales of Pat Buckley, who cleverly pulled some bones from his closet to convey a message and to make his listeners aware of the dangers they may very well be confronted with and how they can respond to those dangers. His ‘been there, done that’ and ‘you don’t wanna go there’ approach, seemed to hit the right note particularly those of our students who have their own stories to tell.Secondly, the reaction from our students to Pat’s presentation was heart warming. Without prompting, a senior student stood to thank the presenter for his delivery, whereupon the whole senior school erupted into haka as a token of their gratitude for the way in which Pat was able to deliver his message in such a meaningful manner.Thirdly, your organisation
‘Amped 4 Life’ is keeping it real and for a lot of our taiohi (young people) that’s the reality for them.

Näku noa nei, nä

Koa Douglas
(Tumuaki Tiaki)

JOHN PAUL COLLEGE ROTORUA

I attended the presentation by Amped4Life Trust on choices young people make and their consequences at John Paul College on Friday 30 June 2008 and am writing to say how impressed I was with it.

Amped4Life Trust was presenting to our Year 9 to 13 students and, with they very funny audio-visual "warmer", he soon had their attention and continued to hold it throughout the next 45 minutes.

It was refreshing to hear a presenter who related so well to the students and established a rapport very quickly by "speaking their language" and portraying a very "real" picture as far as the drug and alcohol messages he delivered. They spoke openly and honestly about they own life, the poor choices he had made and their devastating consequences.

It was very evident he cared deeply about the messages he was delivering to the students and was passionate about helping to redirect the lives of young people.

I would not hesitate to recommending them as a speaker to secondary school students.

S. Brewer

Teacher (John Paul College)

Amped4Life Trust message was relevant and so very significant in terms of the problems facing our teenagers today and the unfortunate situations many of them find themselves in . Their direct no-nonsense approach not only grabbed their attention, but also ensured that the message was favourably received. They undoubtedly made an impact judging by the feedback from the students and I am most grateful for the vital contribution Amped has made towards the education of our students in the area of social skills and awareness

Warner Wilder [Chaplain]

ROTORUA BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL

Amped4Life Trust spoke to a group of 600 Rotorua Boys High Students years 11-13 as part of our school wide Drug Education program. Their presentation was delivered with passion and grit and the boys listened intently and were totally absorbed in the message. Feedback from staff and students has been outstanding. Personally it is the best anti-drug message that I have ever heard. We look forward to welcoming Amped4Life Trustback to Rotorua Boys High School in 2006

Tom Hale (HOD Guidance) Rotorua Boys High School

TRIDENT HIGH SCHOOL

Amped4Life Trust are the best communicators on the topic of Drug Addictions to a mass audience of teenagers I have ever heard. They are simply outstanding both in content and the ways they deliver it

(Guidance Counsellor NZAC)

Colin Hughes

Amped4Life Trust presented a drug-free message to our year nine students as part of our health programme. The power and effectiveness of the presentation led us to invite them back to address the rest of the school in their separate year levels. Some of the comments from teachers included:­

"That's the best presentation of an anti-drug message that I've heard".

"The students were busting to talk about it afterwards - it really hit home".

Amped4Life message has a gritty reality to it which holds they audience enthralled and they are adept at modifying the presentation to suit the varying age groups. They are professional as well as passionate and I have no hesitation in recommending them as speakers not just to schools but any public forum.

Tracey Garbutt Guidance Counsellor-TRIDENT HIGH SCHOOL

LINDISFARNE COLLEGE

There is no doubt that in my mind Amped4Life Trust delivers a message with a great deal of passion and is demonstrated in their delivery.Our students were focused for one and a half hours where the main message was that everyone has a choice but choose wisely as the choice you make will have a consequence. As many of my students commented tthey was the first real time they had listened so attentively to the message and they just knew what they were being told was important.

Glen Petersen-Head of Boarding and Mentoring Programme

TAURANGA BOYS COLLEGE

Amped4Life Trust has quickly gained the respect and confidence of the students and has touched their lives personally. Evidence of this is in the number of boys who have sought further meetings with them. There is clearly demand for they further availability.

I am delighted with the number of young men who have been supported in their decision to cease using marijuana and are looking at decidedly improved prospects in their lives

(Gill Larsen) Student Liaison Counsellor

WHANGAMATA AREA SCHOOL

Amped4Life message is "raw" , and a harsh reality, which we all need to understand.

Our students were silent and focused for one and a quarter hours, after which they asked questions.

Amped4Life Trustspeaks their language. They tells it how it is and I would be very surprised to find any of our students experimenting with "P" after their talk.

Jan Sutherland

HOD Health/Careers/Transition Education

WAIHI COLLEGE

Amped4Life Trust powerful message about making choices was extremely well received by the whole school at a series of talks accompanied by a PowerPoint show on Friday.

Reading through the student evaluation sheets showed a very high level of interest from the students. The personalization of the message left a huge impact, with students acknowledging the need to make wise choices and support each other in “safe living”.

B Willoughby

MOUNT COLLEGE
Amped4Life Trust have excellent presenters. They delivered a very well developed address to staff, parents or interested groups in a manner that reflects they concern for the dangers of drug abuse. Their presentation is lively and stimulating and makes one consider the consequences of drug abuse.

It has been a real bonus for us to have Amped4Life Trust work in the college this year. I recommend their services unreservedly and look forward to them continuing to work in tthey college in the future

Terry Collett -Principal

My daughter came to see Amped4Life Trust speak and was so challenged and moved by what they shared that she walked away from her old lifestyle and has gone onto university, has changed all her friends and has a completely new life and it's all thanks to Amped4Life Trust and what they shared in their presentation.

Parent-Mount College

BETHLEHEM COLLEGE

Amped4Life Trust are confident and exceptional communicators. Their message was inspirational and honest. The students of Year 12 listened intently and were totally absorbed by they message. They had positive things to say at the end of the talk and for many days later. Some were heard to say... 'awesome... inspiring... incredible... Amped4Life Trust demonstrated they could think on their feet when they fielded the questions from the floor with openness and skill. We have nothing but praise and admiration for Amped4Life Trust and wish them well as they seek to mentor and encourage our young people toward", a drug free lifestyle.

Graham Preston-Managing Director

THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO , TAURANGA CAMPUS DURHAM STREET

Amped4Life Trust had been contracted by the school to present information on drugs as part of Health Education. The presentation was enthralling. Speaking without notes, they spoke with a passion, and a conviction, rarely surpassed. The drug theme is compelling and relevant to young people, but Amped4Life ability to tell stories, dramatize they words with flair and style, and deliver a coherent and credible warning, left the students and myself with an indelible imprint about drugs and drug addiction. Amped, became the message. Several months later, I referred a high school student to Amped4Life, whose parents were concerned about drug issues associated with the student. They were worried about they proximity to, and possible dabbling in, the drug scene. Amped4Life Trust undertook private counselling with the student over several weeks. Although not aware of the content of those sessions, the outcomes speak for themselves; the student is drug free; schoolwork and attitude have improved; and the student holds Amped4Life Trust in high regard. Whatever the message, Amped4Life's work made a positive and significant contribution.

John Hellner-Senior Lecturer/Graduate Diploma Teaching

AVALALON

Amped4Life delivery to the course participants is personal, honest, sincere and passionate. They are well presented but shows the trademarks of their former lives which earns them credibility and respect It has been a pleasure to have their involvement at Avalon and can see that they advice and mentoring will be enormously beneficial to others. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Sarah Davey-General Manager

OTUMOETAI COLLEGE, TAURANGA

We once again had the pleasure and good fortune to have Amped4Life Trust speak to all the Year 11, 12 and 13 students

They presentation had great appeal for and success with our students for several reasons

It is presented by an honest and passionate presenters with whom the senior students readily identify and respect
It deals with the whole Drug issue in a real, straightforward and extremely honest manner
It isn’t judging or preaching, but presents the facts choices and outcomes
It is based on a preventative model rather than the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, reactive programs that we often see.
I unreservedly recommend them to any institution involved in the education of young people and just hope that others are able to enjoy the benefits of such a worthwhile program

Shane Blake (PE/Health Teacher) Bruce Farthing (Deputy Principal)

WHANGAPAROA COLLEGE

Amped4Life Trust brought a sense of reality to our year 9 learners during a powerful, inspirational presentation. He mixed humour - which the learners could easily relate to, with personal, often emotionally engaging experiences. They highlighted the need for the development of emotional literacy among teenagers to cope with and manage the risks and societal factors that influence their lives. They also accurately addressed ways to help teenagers - and parents, alleviate the wounds of the spirit which hugely inhibit motivation and the learning of our young people today.

Craig McDowell, Deputy Principal

TAUMARUNUI HIGH SCHOOL

A letter from the heart

The first time I was at one of your Amped4Life presentations was in year 8. I'm a year 13 now, and what was passed on to me in that original presentation helped me all the way through high school - and what I saw in your most recent one shows you're definitely living up to the standard you set back in 2003, for me, at least. Everything from the Amped presentation, the language used, the delivery, is all perfectly engineered to hit hard on a child (or teenager's) mind - topped off with all your amazing personal stories and accounts. Every question, every detail made people in the room think, and I could swear I could almost hear people's cogs moving. For me, back then, it highlighted how wrong your life can go if you make bad choices. Like a light switch was flicked on inside that part of my brain that pictures your future and your possible outcomes.

Through these presentations, I'm 100% sure it made me a much more responsible teenager when it came to choices and seeing more than a week into my own future - just by listening to you speak with a dumbstruck look on my face and really thinking over what you had to say. When I saw the more recent presentation I looked around the room to see that same dumbstruck look - sure enough, it was there, on almost every student's face.

I imagine the shocked gasps and those sounds of realisation never get old. You're doing an amazing service to New Zealand students and anybody lucky enough to witness what you have to say.

The point of this letter is to thank you for all the hard work you've put in and the undoubtedly painful stories you've shared with all of us, and many more like us around the country - and I hope I'm just one example of the people you've helped over the years.

Winston Shadbolt
70 Ward Street
Taumarunui