THE FIRST OF OUR THREE CHOSEN CHARITIES IS:

RED CROSS NEW ZEALAND

Is a Charitable Organisation which is Global: but in New Zealand was first officially formed in 1931 and now has some 103 Branches throughout the Country with some 50 in the North Island and 53 in the South Island. Plus has any associated Groups including “Meals on Wheels.”

Having a bare minimum of permanent staff, it is very reliant on its many Volunteer staff to provide necessary services to the Communities.

New Zealand Red Cross is part of the largest humanitarian organisation in the world, helping people wherever they might be - internationally or in our own communities.

History of Red Cross can be found here: http://www.redcross.org.nz/ourstory

The Red Cross Fundamental Principles are:

Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary Service
Unity
Universality

Their work is very well-known to most, and you will find them involved in every disaster, such as the Christchurch Earthquakes etc always doing a great service to mankind everywhere.

During 2007/08 it was our pleasure to have a number of meetings with senior staff in Wellington, discussing ways in which we many be able to be of assistance. Those meetings convinced of number of things, including the integrity of the Organisation and also that there was an ever increasing need to help them.

Because of those meetings and ideas banded around, we now have some answers that met their stringent requirements and believe we are now in a position to help – with your help as well. There need is great, and in trying times such as now, puts even more pressure on to maintain their standards and to provide the much needed aid.

It’s now up to us to do our part. ODYSSEY FOUNDATION intends to support this worthy Organisation, as we endeavoured to do so a couple of years ago – the timing is right.

We will also be looking to Staff, Volunteers and Supporters to also assist us to help them by doing us a favour and becoming our Personal Customers for household utilities. A portion of the commissions earned will be feed back to the Organisation. More details will be available by following the link above. Here is also a second option if you like it - maybe both.

Plus the support of interested parties will be much appreciated and make our task a little easier. Success here would mean that we could look at our Countries

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THE SECOND OF OUR THREE CHOSEN CHARITIES IS:

INTRODUCING HOSPICE NEW ZEALAND

[The beautiful NZ Kowhai is Hospice symbol]

Hospice New Zealand was established in 1986 and is a Community Based project that is partially funded by Government. However, relies on donations and charity support to meet it's ever-growing budget costs etc.

Services are provided for terminally ill people and has increased some 40% since the turn of the century. There are about 37 such facilities in New Zealand, but our immediate focus is the two situated at Wanganui and Palmerston North for the moment. Our objective is to involve all in the long term.

To learn more about Hospice New Zealand and it history GO HERE

Why Wanganui & Palmerston North initially - becasue we have had very good meetings with both and they have shown keeness in our proposals. But both are keen to incorporate the other Branches

HOW WILL ODYSSEY FOUNDATION HELP HOSPICE NEW ZEALAND?

By the same method as with Red Cross - We will also be looking to Staff, Volunteers and Supporters to assist us to help them by doing us a favour and becoming our Personal Customers for household utilities. A portion of the commissions earned will be feed back to the Organisation. More details will be available by following the link above. Here is also a second option if you like it - maybe both.

Again we will be looking to our Supporters to also help with this - success here will open this up in other Countries as Hospice is all Global

THE ABOVE IS HOSPICE SPECIFIC AND IDENTIFIED BY CODE 54326 ON PAYMENT PROCESS

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THE FINAL OF OUR THREE CHOSEN CHARITIES IS:

IS THE PRADER-WILLI ASSOCIATION

Whilst this appears to be widely established thruought most countries, they seem to be separate identities, rather than a unified body.

This is a terrible genetic definency that seems to only affect some between one in 25,000 to 1 in 10,000 births. There are more than 400,000 people who live with PWS around the world. Prader–Willi syndrome is also frequently associated with an extreme and insatiable appetite, often resulting in morbid obesity.

Prader–Willi syndrome has no cure; however, several treatments are in place to lessen the condition's symptoms. During infancy, subjects should undergo therapies to improve muscle tone. Speech and occupational therapy are also indicated. During the school years, children benefit from a highly structured learning environment as well as extra help. The largest problem associated with the syndrome is severe obesity.

Why ODYSSEY FOUNDATION interested in supporting this? Because we have first-hand experiece with friend who have this with their only child and have frequently witnessed the constant demand on their time and attention, to such a degree that they have no llfe their own, yet love him dearly.

Once again we will also be looking to Staff, Volunteers and Supporters to assist us to help them by doing us a favour and becoming our Personal Customers for household utilities. A portion of the commissions earned will be feed back to the Organisation. More details will be available by following the link above. Here is also a second option if you like it - maybe both.