In a sort of homecoming Kelvin Ricketts addressed the club this week as Life Education Trust’s official fundraiser.
It’s always good to get an update on this 35 year old organisation’s doings and Harold ( the most recognised mascot in the corporate world) made his obligatory appearance-both in miniature and in numerous photos at venues around the Counties Manukau district during promotional events.
With five mobile classrooms operating, Harold and his supporters visit schools by arrangement, with each programme tailored to the specific needs of the school. Pupils aged from 5 to 13 are involved in highly interactive lessons covering anything to do with personal health and safety.
Topics cover food and nutrition, human biology, relationships and community, identity and resilience and substance abuse. School leaders determine the weighting of these in the programme offered in each school.
Feedback both from school leaders and parents has continued to be very positive.
Recent societal changes have brought new issues into focus e.g anxiety, the impact of social media, bullying, vaping and pornography. A team of five (soon to be seven) trustees manages the organisation which is given much needed backing from a large number of collaborative organisations also dealing with these issues.
As fundraiser, Kelvin listed the organisations most helpful with funding and plans to augment the income – special events and appeals. There is no government funding available.
Given what we know of Kelvin’s business involvement in the past it was pleasing to hear him declare , ‘This is my most rewarding job ever’!