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Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland is excited to announce five more items to The Big Auction catalogue. This year will be the first year we are hosting The Big Auction and we are sure it will be an amazing evening at the Sapphire Room in Ponsonby Central. With new bid-worthy items being added weekly, there is something for everyone to be excited about. Our community has come together in a remarkable way to donate these exclusive items to help us raise funds to expand the BBBS Auckland mentoring program and reduce our 100+ waitlist. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s up for grabs:

1. Auckland Bridge Climb and Bungy Pass

A combination of fearlessness and discovery awaits. A jump from the Auckland Harbour Bridge will allow you to dip your head in the ocean below – something you can’t do anywhere else in the world. Doubled up with the Bridge Climb, giving you a fully-guided tour to the top, complete with the best view of Auckland going around. This experience includes 1x bridge bungy jump and 2x bridge climbs up Auckland’s iconic Harbour Bridge.

https://www.bungy.co.nz/auckland/auckland-bridge/auckland-bridge-bungy/

2. Muriwai Beach Horse Trek: An adventure for two

Discover the wild west coast on horseback, where you will trail up the velvet black sands of Muriwai beach and through sand dunes. You’ll stop to let your horse have a drink and splash in the fresh water holes before making your way up through scrubland, tree tunnels and the picturesque Woodhill Forest. This voucher for two, you can enjoy a one hour horse trek with your chosen person – Maybe a romantic ride with your significant other.

https://www.muriwaibeachhorsetreks.co.nz/

3. Hibiscus Jet Ski Experience

Enjoy a fabulous Jet ski experience and explore the beautiful beaches and Islands that surround the Hibiscus Coast. Whether you are looking for an adrenaline rush, a leisurely cruise or an adventure to explore a new destination, this item is for you thanks to Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire.

http://www.hibiscusjetskihire.co.nz/

4. Hannah Wilkinson Art Piece

A unique Hannah Wilkinson Art Piece donated by Eden Park, remembering the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand/Australia. Hannah is an artist and a Football Fern, she participated in three Olympic Games, and three FIFA Women’s World Cups. Her artwork is special as she poured her heart and soul into her art-pieces, finding her creative flow-state; The same flow state that helped her score New Zealand’s first goal at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Thank you Eden Park for donating this art-piece.

5. Signed Joseph Parker Boxing Gloves

Joseph Parker is New Zealand’s first ever World Heavyweight Champion. Parker is currently riding an impressive five-fight winning streak and is eager to get back in the ring and extend it sometime in September/October. For the boxing fans, these signed gloves are for you. 

 

Buy Tickets and get bidding!

Thank you to our community and businesses who have donated items for The Big Auction. Buy your tickets and get ready to bid on Thursday the 12th of September at the Sapphire Room in Ponsonby Central. You can start bidding on items online from the 1st of September and bidding closes on the 12th at the Big Auction event.

To see more of the The Big Auction Items up for grabs click the link : https://www.auctria.com/auction/TheBigAuctionBBBSAuckland 

To buy tickets and for more event details please click on the event ticket link: https://24k-for-2024.raiselysite.com/

 

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland (BBBS Auckland) is excited to announce its upcoming fundraising event, The Big Auction, set to take place in person on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at The Sapphire Room, Ponsonby Central. Bidding for the Big Auction will start on September 1st and the auction will be hybrid, in-person and online. This highly anticipated event aims to raise crucial funds to support the fundraising campaign, 24K for 2024, to hire another Mentor Coordinator as our small team hits max capacity. With 100+ children on the waitlist, the Big Auction fundraiser will enable us the man-power to recruit, train, and match more mentors to provide their invaluable guidance and support to vulnerable children across Auckland.

The Big Auction promises an evening filled with excitement, entertainment, and the opportunity to bid on exclusive items and experiences. The event will commence at 7:00 PM, welcoming guests from all walks of life who are united by their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of local youth.

“We are incredibly excited to host The Big Auction and bring our community together for a night of generosity and celebration,” says Chelsey, our BBBS Auckland Program Manager. “The funds raised from this event will directly support growing our mentorship program, helping us to continue providing life-changing relationships for the children who need it most.”

The event will feature a live auction with an array of exclusive items and experiences up for bid, as well as drinks and small eats included in each ticket, and opportunities to learn more about the impactful work BBBS Auckland is doing in the community.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
• Time: 7:00PM.
• Venue: The Sapphire Room, Ponsonby Central, 136-146 Ponsonby Road, Auckland

About Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland:

Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland is dedicated to helping children and youth achieve their potential through one-on-one relationships with volunteer mentors. By providing consistent and supportive mentorship, BBBS Auckland aims to foster positive growth, confidence, and success in the lives of young people.

How to Get Involved:

For more information about The Big Auction and how to participate or support BBBS Auckland, please visit our social media for our most recent updates. Ticketing information will be coming soon.

https://www.instagram.com/bigbrothersbigsistersauckland/

facebook.com/bigbrothersbigsistersauckland

https://nz.linkedin.com/company/big-brothers-big-sisters-auckland

 

Mentee-Mentor Match Stories:

Below you can find the full interview stories for a few of our Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland Matches. We are grateful for our matches that were open to sharing their match story and the profound impact the BBBS program has had on their lives.

From their stories you can hear about why our mentors got involved in the program, how their match is going, and the difference they have made in their mentee’s life.

“Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself and others if you have the time and desire to help. This is a fantastic program to genuinely see the difference you can make and the value that you add to a child’s life. My advice to future mentors is to grab every opportunity you can to be involved and a part of the greater program. The BBBS program is so valuable [For mentors and mentees] to feel connected and be a part of something.” – Graduated Mentor Lily

Sign up to Volunteer: https://bigbrothersbigsistersauckland.org.nz/join-us/ 

24K for 2024 Appeal: We are at max capacity with 100+ children on the waitlist. BBBS Auckland is seeking to hire another mentor coordinator to expand our capacity. Help us grow our amazing program and aid more children in need of mentoring. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/24k-for-2024-big-brothers-big-sisters-auckland

Casey and Storm:

 

Roman and Guy

 

Olivier and Harry

We are excited to announce the launch of our 24K for 2024 appeal campaign; An initiative dedicated to raising $24,000 to support a new mentor coordinator to increase organization’s capacity to match more tamariki. At Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland, we believe in the power of mentorship to change lives, and with your help, we can make a significant impact on our community. With over 100 mentee’s on the waitlist, your donation will help get children off the waitlist, and into a brighter future.

Why 24K for 2024?

Each dollar raised during this campaign will directly fund the recruitment, training, and support of mentors who will be matched with children in need of guidance, encouragement, and a positive role model in their life. Our goal is to ensure that more vulnerable tamariki in Auckland have the opportunity to experience the transformative effects of having a Big Brother or Big Sister.

With over 100 children on our waitlist, we are committed to increasing our capability and addressing the need for mentors. As a small team, we urgently need donations to hire another Mentor Coordinator, like our dedicated Leonie, who is currently at full capacity managing our existing matches. The critical time spent to coordinate each match comes at a cost, and with each donation, we can uplift and support a child’s life with mentoring.

The Impact of Your Support

Your generosity will have a profound impact on the lives of young people like Xoniqe and Kendrik, who, thanks to their mentors, have developed greater self-confidence, improved self-esteem, and a brighter outlook on their futures. Here are just a few ways your donation can make a difference:

• $25 supports a match with an activity out in the community.
• $40 covers the intake process for a child.
• $75 provides a family with social support from a professional for a month.
• $150 supports a match and their whanau for an entire month.
• $2,400: Fully supports one mentor-mentee match for an entire year, covering all associated costs.
• $24,000: Will bring on another Mentor Coordinator and increase our capacity to match more tamariki.

How You Can Help

There are several ways you can get involved in our 24K for 2024 campaign:

1. Donate: Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal. You can donate at our Give a Little Page dedicated to #24Kfor2024: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/24k-for-2024-big-brothers-big-sisters-auckland 
2. Share: Spread the word about our campaign on social media using the hashtag #24Kfor2024. Encourage your friends and family to join us in making a difference.
3. Matchmaker Sponsor: If you represent a business or organization, consider sponsoring a match or matching employee donations. Your support can amplify our efforts and inspire others to give.

24K for 2024 Events

• The Big Quiz 18th July at The Beer Spot. https://the-big-quiz.raiselysite.com/

• The Big Auction 12th September at The Sapphire Room Ponsonby. Link coming soon.

• The Big Dress Up September 

Stay Connected

Throughout the campaign, we will be sharing updates on our progress, success stories from our matches, and special messages from our supporters. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed and engaged.

Thank You

We are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland. Together, we can create a brighter future for the children in our community. Join us in our 24K for 2024 appeal campaign and help us make a lasting difference, one match at a time.

Thank you for being a part of this important journey with us!

Donate

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/24k-for-2024-big-brothers-big-sisters-auckland

#24Kfor2024 #MentoringMatters #IgnitePotential #BBBSAuckland

Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland –18 July 2024 – Big Brothers Big Sisters Tāmaki Makaurau is thrilled to announce an exciting and fun-filled evening of competition, camaraderie, and charity at our upcoming Pub Quiz Night. This R18+ event promises an unforgettable experience while raising funds to support the children and mentoring programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland.

Event Details:

• Date: 18th July 2024
• Time: 7:00pm – late.
• Location: Beerspot Morningside; 596 New North Road, Kingsland
• Age Requirement: 18+ only

Gather your friends, family, or colleagues and join us for an evening of challenging trivia, great beer, and plenty of laughs. The best part? All proceeds from the evening will go directly towards creating new mentoring matches with Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland, helping the 100+ children on our waitlist find mentors who can make a significant impact in their lives.

Ticket Information:

• Individual Tickets: These tickets cover one person. You can join as an individual and we will assign you to a team, or you can specify your team during payment.
• Team Tickets: Enjoy a small discount when purchasing for a team of up to five members. Make sure to choose a team name and fill out the names of your team members during registration.

Register your pub quiz team today and support a fantastic cause, with the chance to win great prizes, enjoy beer provided by The Beerspot, and savor delicious food from Jo Bros food truck.

Fundraising Goal:

We aim to raise $24,000 for our new matches in 2024, as part of our #24Kfor2024 initiative. Your participation and donations will directly support more children being matched with mentors, igniting their potential and making a lasting difference in their lives.

On the Night:

Whether you come as a group or solo, we will ensure you are part of a team. Prepare to test your trivia knowledge, compete for free beer, and partake in our exciting raffle. With Jo Bros food truck catering to all your hunger cravings, you are in for a treat!

Invite your flatmates, whānau, and friends to showcase your trivia skills and enjoy a night of fun while making a meaningful contribution to our community.

We can’t wait to have you join us!

For More Information and Registration:

Visit the event page: https://the-big-quiz.raiselysite.com/

About Big Brothers Big Sisters Tāmaki Makaurau:

Big Brothers Big Sisters Tāmaki Makaurau is dedicated to helping children and young people achieve their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact. Our vision is that all children achieve a strong start in life and reach their full potential.

Contact:

Chelsey Harnell (Programme Manager)

[email protected]

0212 379 7169

 

Recently our Matchmaker sponsor, Lightspeed, hosted a fantastic skills afternoon for a group of our mentees. Lightspeed, a unified POS and payments platform powering the world’s best businesses in over 100 countries, organized the event as an opportunity for our mentees to learn new ‘tech’ skills and see a future career in the technology industry. We are especially grateful for their partnership as events like these are significant to our mentees’ lives. BBBS aims to give them a new perspective and alternative window to opportunities in the world. 

Thank you Lightspeed for igniting new passions, and giving our mentees opportunities to reach their full potential. 

Lightspeed’s Managing Director, APAC, Andrew Fraser explains, “At the Auckland office of Lightspeed, we welcomed kids, their adult mentors and representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters for a ‘Skills Arvo’ event. The aim was for the kids to try coding and to experience our point of sale and payments platform in a pop-up ‘Boutique’.”

A group of mentees, accompanied by their mentors, completed Lightspeed’s fantastic block coding workshop created by Max Grabenhorst, a principal software developer based in the Auckland office. The block coding task was similar to virtual Lego, where the mentees got to drag and drop colourful blocks to represent different commands. Once the virtual blocks snapped together like a puzzle piece, the kids could download the command onto a micro-bit; a tangible mini computer. On it, the mentees could spell their name to appear on LED lights, make music, and its sensors could detect temperature when they refrigerated it. Followed by the pop-up ‘Boutique’ store, mentees were able to scan and ‘sell’ items with an iPad set up with Lightspeed’s point of sale and payments platform.

BBBS Auckland Program Manager Chelsey Harnell shares, “We were amazed to see our mentees so focused and loving the activities. Introducing technology to our mentees through events like this not only sparks their curiosity and creativity, but also equips them with essential skills for the future.”

The team of Lightspeeders were fantastic at the event by helping our mentees through the tasks, and making them feel very at home with afternoon tea and a round of table tennis in their newly renovated office space. With their help, our mentees were able to learn new skills, break down tasks into manageable steps, increase their confidence by mastering a task, make new connections and feel a sense of accomplishment. 

Andrew reflects, “The Lightspeed team relished the opportunity to use their annual paid Volunteer Day for a great cause. The kids proved to be extremely talented as coders and entrepreneurs. It was inspirational to meet the amazing mentors and a treat to spend time with Lily and Xonique, and also Trelise and Shannae, the mentor/mentee Match sponsored by Lightspeed for the first and second halves of 2024. We’re thrilled to give back to our community and in particular to help ignite the potential of young people through community-based mentoring.”

Thank you again to Lightspeed for your partnership and for empowering a brighter future for our mentees. Chelsey concludes, “Seeing their eyes light up as they explore new digital possibilities reaffirms the positive impact of mentoring and technology in shaping confident, empowered, and future-ready individuals. Thank you, Lightspeed.”