Pegasus, Canterbury — This Saturday, the Pegasus community will come together at The Peg & Pint for an evening raising funds for I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday, with a clear goal: helping more young people access counselling when they need it.
The fundraiser is being led by local organiser Jimmy Gifford in memory of his grandson Justin, who died by suicide aged 17.
“This is about the kids — that’s what I Am Hope is all about,” says Gifford. “Losing Justin changed our family forever. Nothing will bring him back, but if we can help even one other young person get support before they reach that point, then we’ve done something that matters.”
The event is designed to be family-friendly as well as a fundraiser. From 4pm to 5pm, local emergency services will be on site donating their time for young people to enjoy — including a fire engine, ambulance, and police car. Kids will be able to have photos, and the police will run a radar speed gun so children can have their running speed clocked.
“I wanted the kids who turn up to have a good time,” says Gifford. “It means a lot that the emergency services are giving their time. It shows how much people care about mental health and our young people.”
Raffles and auctions will run through to 7pm, with donated prizes from businesses and supporters across the region. Auction highlights include a framed All Blacks jersey signed by Richie McCaw, a Clearwater Golf experience for four (including carts and a food and drink voucher), a two-night Akaroa bach stay with a Black Cat cruise, a Hanmer Springs package, a two-night SkyCity Auckland hotel stay with breakfast, a Christchurch Casino gaming package for up to ten people, and a $500 Mitre 10 gift card.
Mike King, founder of I Am Hope, says community-led events like this are the heartbeat of the charity’s work.
“When a family has lived through the worst kind of loss, and they still choose to turn that pain into help for other kids — it’s truly humbling,” says King. “Jimmy is doing this in his grandson Justin’s honour, but it will reach kids and families he’ll never meet. That’s what local communities do best: people stepping up to wrap their arms around each other in their worst hour.”
Event details
Location: The Peg & Pint, Pegasus
Time: Kids activities and emergency services on site 4pm–5pm (arrive from 3.30pm to avoid missing out); raffles and auctions run to 7pm
Everyone welcome.
Auction bids (for those unable to attend)
Advance bids can be made up until Friday. No phone bids will be taken on Saturday.
If you or someone you know under 25 needs someone to talk to, visit www.gumbootfriday.com to connect with a counsellor today.
To donate, fundraise, or get involved with I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday, head to www.gumbootfriday.com or text HOPE to 469 for a $3 donation.
