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An Auckland man and his wife have been so inspired to help after the Herald's child abuse series and appeal campaign that they have decided to sponsor two families.
The couple contacted the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust after reading about the charity on the first day of the Herald's campaign, and said they wanted to help.
"We are not concerned about tax deductions. We just want to give directly to a family and know the money is reaching them," said the man.
The details, including the amount they will give, are yet to be worked out but the couple have asked the trust to nominate two families who could benefit from monthly donations.
GRG national convener Diane Vivian has chosen "Nana X" and her 6-year-old grandson, who is cortically blind and brain damaged from being shaken as a baby by his mother's boyfriend.
The story featured on the front page of the Herald when the "Our Lost Children" series was launched on Monday.
"I thought of Nana X because that boy is going to need caring for the rest of his life," said Mrs Vivian. The second recipient is a 51-year-old Manurewa woman called Ann who is raising eight "grandchildren," aged between 1 and 16, on her own.
The three youngest are "P babies" and most have suffered from some sort of emotional abuse or trauma.
"She is enthusiastic and nothing's any bother. She's in there for the moko - she's worthy of it," said Mrs Vivian.
Ann, who is known as "Nan" to the children who have come to her from different relatives, said she was "blown away" by the couple's generous offer.
Ann works from 11pm to 7am and receives some benefits to help support the children. She says her biggest weekly battle is keeping the children fed because of the sheer volume of food they go through.
While she didn't know how much she'd receive from the couple or for how long, she said the amount was irrelevant - even a "few bucks" to buy the younger boys some jandals for summer would be appreciated.
"The amount is not important, the important thing is that [they] are doing it."
GRG has also had 10 new grandparents join the support group - couples who had until now been struggling alone without any help.
TO DONATE:
Grandparents raising children
Visit www.raisinggrandchildren.org.nz and click on the donate/bequest box on the left-hand side of the page. Deposit funds directly into their bank account 06-0115-0203334-00.
Jigsaw
Mail cheques to Jigsaw Family Services Inc, PO Box 7285, Wellington South, or deposit money directly into the Westpac account 03-0458-0179372-001.
Starship foundation
Visit www.starship.org.nz/donation or phone 0900 STARSHIP. Alternatively, donations can be made at any ASB branch. State the "Starship Foundation 04 Account".
Family works
Visit www.psn.org.nz and click on donate now. Deposit money directly into their Family Works NZH bank account 06-0101-0075933-18 or by cheque made out to Presbyterian Support Northern and sent to Freepost Authority 2697, PO Box 99890, Newmarket, Auckland 1149.
Barnados
Post a cheque to PO Box 6434, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, or donate by using your credit card online at www.barnardos.org.nz or call 0800 00 54 37.
