Back in 1983, Koru Care's first
dream delivery involved taking a group of
disabled youngsters to the movies. Our next
feat saw us fundraising for two years so that
we could take a small group of children to
the United Kingdom to see Buckingham Palace
and Coronation Street. These days, the Koru
Care committee arranges several overseas trips
every year for groups of children and caregivers.
Our other activities include supplying educational
and play equipment, setting up toy libraries,
taking children on special day excursions
and organising Christmas parties.
We exist thanks to the time and energy of
our loyal volunteers and the on-going support
of sponsors. From raffles and garage sales,
our fundraising efforts have evolved into
a well-orchestrated strategy that includes
corporate sponsorship, gala auctions, sports
events, a public sponsorship programme and
street appeals.
Taking ill and disabled children to dream
destinations requires the dedicated support
of Koru Care caregivers. Every group of children
that is sent on a holiday by Koru Care is
accompanied by a team of trained volunteers,
including several registered nurses. Our caregivers
are unpaid, and they take annual leave to
make the trips possible. Each caregiver has
one or two children to look after 24 hours
a day, from receiving the children at the
airport to returning them to their families.
The parents and families of the children we
help also donate time and energy to Koru Care.
They are encouraged to take part in the fund-raising,
so that they can take some of the credit for
giving their child the trip of a lifetime.
