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2 | InTouch AUTUMN 2025 NEWS ROUNDUP William Pike Challenge I.Lead has teamed up with the WilliamPike Challeng e to empower disabled youth to explore the outdoors and stay active! I.Lead will be the trailblazing disabled youth group to take on this exciting challenge. The William Pike Challenge is all about three awesome elements: Outdoor Adventures Get ready for some serious fun! Outdoor activities push you to try new things, make friends, and boost your confidence. Plus, they remind us of the incredible landscapes right here in New Zealand that are waiting to be explored! Community Connections Giving back feels amazing! By getting involved in community service, you’ll discover empathy, kindness, and the power of making a difference. It’s also a great way to sharpen your communication skills and build stronger bonds with your community, friends, and family. Passion Projects What’s your passion? Whether it’s a new sport or hobby, passion projects are all about diving into something you love and watching yourself grow. They help you build self-belief, work ethic, and resilience while having a blast along the way! I.Lead and the William Pike Challenge are here to help you unlock your full potential and have a blast doing it! To fill out the William Pike Challenge 2025 Registration Form, go to https://tinyurl.com/jjuhkjck Easie Living Event Debbie Hoskins, Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay Fieldworker, is arranging an event in May with Leslie from Easie Living. Leslie provides a mobility outreach service and travels the country in her van which carries 200 pieces of equipment! Leslie will do a presentation and offer 1:1 support to those who need it – including helping with lottery grant applications for equipment. Date: May 2025 (exact date will be sent to all Central members once confirmed). Farewell Kristin! Our wonderful Fundraising and Partnerships Manager, Kristin Cross, is leaving after 4 years with MDANZ’s National Support Office. Kristin has been an influential part of the small tightknit team and will be missed. We wish you all the best for the next chapter ahead, Kristin! In Touch If you are receiving this copy of In Touch in the post and no longer require a physical copy or would prefer to read the issue digitally, please let us know and help us save costs (and some trees!). Email us at info@mda.org.nz to go ‘digital’! Bradley Jenkin Memorial Fund – Round 2 Applications for Round 2 of the Bradley Jenkin Memorial Fund are now open and close on 30th April 2025. Members with a condition can apply for funding for vehicle and home modifications, technology, education, sports, hobbies, driving lessons. For more information on the BJMF or to apply now, click here or visit www.mda.org.nz/What-We-Offer Branch AGM’s Northern Branch: The Annual General Meeting will be held online on Wednesday 16th April at 7.00pm. Central Region Branch: The Annual General Meeting will be held online via Zoom on Sunday 13th April 2025 at 3.00pm. South Island Branch: The Annual General Meeting will be held online via Zoom on Friday 11th April 2025 at 7.00pm. The MDANZ Annual General Meeting will be held online via Zoom on Sunday 27th April 2025 at 2.00pm. Details have been sent to all members with voting rights. MDANZ Annual General Meeting