Kids in Need Waikato’s Linda Roil and Cambridge Rotary president Gary Smith.
Three of Cambridge’s core charities have received $10,000 each from funds raised at last year’s Cambridge Rotary Garden Festival.
InterlockNZ Trust trustee Colin Pierce expresses his gratitude for the welcome windfall. Photo: supplied
Kids in Need Waikato, InterlockNZ Trust, and Cambridge Lifeskills received the funding boost.
Representatives from each, as well as many of the homeowners whose gardens were included in the November 2024 festival, attended a Cambridge Rotary appreciation function held recently at the Lauriston Park homestead.
Cambridge Rotary president Gary Smith said the event was intended to thank festival sponsors and homeowners and provide an opportunity for recipient charity representatives to outline the work they do in the community.
The biennial garden festival had been a great success, he said. The next one is planned for late 2026.
Kids in Need Waikato founder Linda Roil told The News last week that she was very grateful for the community support they receive.
Cambridge Lifeskills’ board member John Bullick speaking to guests. Photo: supplied
“It is at the heart of everything we do,” she said. “The $10,000 donation from the garden festival will be used to support purchases of items for children’s care packs. We’re receiving a lot of requests from new carers for ongoing support. It doesn’t seem to be letting up, with 63 new children on-boarded since January. Emergency packs are also on the rise, with 65 packs having gone out the door this year already.”
Kids in Need Waikato was started by Linda and Graeme Roil in 2014, initially through their fostering and delivery of support for newborns, then emergency and respite care for older children. The charitable trust was set up in 2018; the organisation continues to put together and distribute care packs for many young people in need.
The windfall was equally appreciated by the Interlock Trust. One of their trustees, Colin Pierce, said they were ‘incredibly grateful’ for the $10,000 donation, particularly as the charity receives no government funding.
“Our work is made possible solely through the support of community grants and individual donations like this one,” he said. “This grant will allow us to expand our life-enriching programmes, help participants develop advanced life and social skills, build confidence, and strengthen their connection to the community. With this support, we can provide even more opportunities for personal growth, inclusion and empowerment.”
InterlockNZ began small in 2020. It grew in size and scope then established the InterlockNZ Trust in 2021. Having moved venues several times, it now has a home at the Cambridge Junior Rugby and Community Sports Club at Hautapu and continues to draw people living with disabilities from around the region.
Cambridge Lifeskills board member John Bullick said the donation will go towards the cost of counselling time for children.
“Receiving funds from the Garden Festival is a great example of how our community is supporting these young people in need. ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is something we see in action.”
Cambridge Lifeskills has been providing a free counselling service to schools in the Cambridge area since 1992, working with children aged 5-15 and their families and supporters. With no government funding, the organisation relies solely on community support and its own fundraising efforts.
Kids in Need Waikato’s Linda Roil thanking those present, watched on by Cambridge Rotary president Gary Smith. Photo: supplied
