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WELCOME Kia ora koutou katoa, So much has happened since I last wrote a column for The Review magazine – let me give you a quick rundown of some of the things our members and staff have been up to. We have said farewell to Member Support and Programme Coordinator Renata Kotua and were delighted to welcome Theo van de Klundert to that position. We also said goodbye and thank you to Accounts Administrator Kavita Topiwala and gladly said hello to Carol Avard who took on that role. In March we hosted a fabulous day out at a cafe and wildlife centre for our Christchurch members who live in residential care. It was a wonderful day, and great to meet so many members and their lovely whānau and carers. We have enjoyed the continued successes of members across the motu who have taken part in getDriving, and we’ve been absolutely delighted with the interest in “getMoving” – our latest project which has kindly been funded by Tū Manawa Active. GetMoving is a year- long series of exercise classes run by Functional Adaptive Movement™Ltd (FAM™) for 16 Auckland children and teenagers. It launched in July and has been met with plenty of enthusiasm. Our coffee groups continue to be a great success – judging by the wonderful feedback we receive. If there isn’t a coffee group in your area, and you’d Catch up with Clare Clare Williams General Manager CP Society Researcher and Member Support Advisor Amy Hogan, right, and I at the AusACPDM conference. like to join one, please do get in touch. We’re always looking for new hosts to help us spread the reach of our coffee groups. We’ve had some wonderful donations and grants come in from friends of the Society, donors, trusts and foundations. This support is very much appreciated and helps ensure we can keep doing the mahi that makes a difference in the lives of those living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi. Earlier this year we decommissioned our trike programme. It was a tough decision to make, but we were absolutely delighted that we were able to find new homes for the trikes. Some were purchased by members, others by schools. The trikes had a lot of life left in them, so it was great to know they were going to benefit someone else. In August, Amy Hogan, our Researcher and Member Support Advisor and I attended the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM) 12th biennial conference in Cairns, Australia where Amy was a guest speaker. Both Amy and I represented the Society at the Australia New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy collaboration meetings. The ANZ CP Strategy collaborative is currently working on the review and development of the 2025 ANZ CP Strategy objectives and priorities. It was a great opportunity for us to cement relationships, and make new ones, with our Australian counterparts. We’re really excited about Be Green & Be Seen happening this October. It’s always such a fun time of year and we love seeing the photos that come rolling in of members and supporters getting up to some green-themed antics. The money raised during the campaign goes towards some of our vital services, like the getProgramme funding that is available via a members’ e-Card, the grants programme and the various support options we provide to our members. I appreciate all our members’ efforts to raise funds and get involved. It all makes a big difference. Ngā mihi, SEPT 2024 THE REVIEW | 3