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IN BRIEF SOCIETY SNIPPETS CARING CALLER Friendship, support and peace of mind are among the benefits of the St John Caring Caller programme. The free programme sees friendly volunteers call lonely people, with various health and wellbeing needs, for a catch up. For whānau and friends who don’t live close by, the service provides comfort that their loved one has support and friendship. Callers often make lasting friendships with their clients based on shared interests like gardening, reading or sport. Having someone call and ask about your day can make all the difference if you’re not well or a bit low, especially if it’s hard to go out. The phone calls also mean someone is checking in on you – a comfort if you don’t know many people, or your whānau and friends can’t visit much. “We have standards in place to make sure everyone stays safe, and we always aim to help people in a way that suits them best,” St John says. All prospective clients need to have the ability to clearly converse over a phone call and be well understood. They must provide two emergency contacts. For more information go to www.tinyurl.com/mts46ydh or call 0800 4 CALLER (0800 422 5537). RUN A MARATHON FOR CPS Do you like to take part in marathons? Or are you a first- timer contemplating a new challenge? Does this sound like someone you know – a family or whānau member, a friend or colleague? The Cerebral Palsy Society is looking to support marathon participants who are willing to fundraise for Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy. From first-timers and walkers to marathon regulars, from Society GET INVOLVED The Halberg Games are just around the corner! This national sports tournament spans three days and is open to young athletes aged 8-21 with a physical disability or visual impairment. The 2024 games are on from April 19 – 21 at Kings College, Auckland. It’s a unique experience for athletes to participate in a genuine games village setting that includes opening and closing ceremonies. Competing in regional teams, participants get to explore their competitive spirit and try their hand at new sports. A wide range of sports are on offer, such as adaptive crossfit challenge, athletics, swimming, golf, gymnastics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, badminton, archery, rowing, pop tennis, wheelchair rugby, powerchair football, rugby, turbo touch, taekwondo, table tennis, ambulant football, and adaptive cricket. The aim is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages participants to have fun, form new friendships, and push their limits. For more information go to www.halberg.co.nz/ halberg-games members, their family, whānau and friends to colleagues and our supporters. Participants can set up their own fundraising page as part of our Be Green & Be Seen #beACTIVE campaign – www.begreenandbeseen.org.nz And if taking part in a marathon isn’t for you, you can always make a donation on someone’s page to show your support. There are plenty of marathon options throughout the year for you to consider – just check the Running Calendar website www.runningcalendar.co.nz Feel free to contact us for support – we’d love to hear from you and we’re happy to help. cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz or phone 0800 503 603. 18 | THE REVIEW JAN–APR 2024