June 2025
2025 marks 100 years since Hugh Heber Cholmondeley founded our centre as a seaside sanctuary for children in need of care and respite. A century on, Cholmondeley remains a vital lifeline for Canterbury families. Now, our tamariki are giving back in ways that honour that legacy. From planting native trees to managing a trapline at Living Springs, the children are building a strong connection to the land, learning new skills, and discovering the impact they can have through these hands-on environmental projects.
This month's alumni profile features 13-year-old Alexis, who has recently aged out at Cholmondeley, and drew us a phenomenal comic strip showing her appreciation for her time here. I encourage you to have a read as what she says about her experience accords with the research on our respite care I’ve been immersing myself in lately in preparation for government reviews. She covers a lot of ground succinctly and authentically: safe, kindness, positive mindset, helping kids to be kids, and very importantly fun. I challenge anyone to consider her comments deeply without accumulating a bit of dust in the eye and a tear to match.
Term two is now underway, and with it comes a cherished tradition for tamariki staying with us for the first time with Jane, a longtime friend of Cholmondeley, and her support dog, Eve. More on this below. Jane’s contribution is emblematic of Cholmondeley’s support by our friend volunteers. National Volunteer Week is coming up soon and we’ve been reflecting on the range of volunteers that make Cholmondeley work and the reciprocal nature of what we do through the children, and actions like cleaning up the Cholmondeley family graves and supporting student placements.
We love welcoming visitors at Cholmondeley, and over the past few weeks we’ve had the pleasure of hosting some long-time supporters, including residents from retirement village Rhodes on Cashmere, 94-year-old Noel Hopgood, and a fantastic visit from Keely O'Grady, the 2024 Rose of Tralee, whose lively Irish dancing had the children up on their feet, eager to join in.
Centre Update
As the winter chill settles in, Cholmondeley Children’s centre has remained a place of warmth and safety and joy for our tamariki. We have had the intermediate boys and girls stay – a 3 night stay designed for those between the ages of 10-12years. Each stay is thoughtfully planned offering age-appropriate experiences and opportunities to try new activities.
During the boys stay they had the chance to design their own caps. We welcomed a talented local artist from Fantom Street Made Clothing who guided the children in designing and painting their own caps, a wearable piece of art they were so proud to take home.
The girls staying with us were treated to a very special experience with member of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. They watched a performance and had the opportunity to have a turn at playing a few instruments. An activity that the girls also did was made homemade scrunchies thank to the generosity of the Catholic Women’s League who donated a sewing machine where the tamariki are able to learn great lifelong skills.
Playground update
We’re excited to share that Stage 1 of our playground upgrade is officially underway.
Thanks to all the time, energy and skill from Adam and his team at Kotahi Engineering Studio, Jeremy - Isaac Construction, Mike - Canterbury Landscape Supplies, Peter - Fulton Hogan - Tim - Planz Consultants and George Lockyer. With resource consent now approved, work began earlier this month on our new bike pump track. This track connects to the existing concrete path that runs down the hill and weaves through the trees, creating an exciting new space for our tamariki to explore and enjoy.
Bike track project lead, Cam from Dirt Trail Building, has made the most of the recent good weather and has been busy on site completing the track. Also included in this first stage is the installation of brand-new swings and seesaws, scheduled for early August.
We are working toward our fundraising goal for Stage 2: a basketball half hour and an exciting new flying fox!
We have recently been generously granted from a trust (wishing to remain anonymous) half the funds needed to install the flying fox. This opens up a unique opportunity for a supporter to fund the remaining required and receive 100% of the naming rights.
At Cholmondeley, we proudly acknowledge our donors on site as a way to honour their generosity, reinforce how much our service relies on community goodwill, and ensure no contribution is ever taken for granted. Please reach out to me if you are interested in supporting.
We’re really looking forward to seeing this project come to life
Volunteer Week
This month we have been celebrating National Volunteer Week. Kerry Turner received an award at the Volunteer Canterbury Recognition Awards. Kerry has been such a great support to the centre, this year alone he has helped build the Gaga Pit and our new centenary garden. We are so lucky to have the support of so many volunteers who do much wonderful things from reading with the tamariki to therapy dog visits, fundraising and gardening. We are so grateful to every one of you and we couldn’t do it without you.
Our Patron, Tutehounuku (Nuk) Korako, spoke beautifully for Cholmondeley at the Lyttelton Harbour Business Association Matariki Taoga Awards, including this important idea:
“The Lyttelton Harbour Community Awards are a mana enhancing embodiment of the Matariki spirit. Tonight, we gather to celebrate the shining stars of our community – the unsung heroes, the generous givers, the quiet doers – those who, like the stars of Matariki, help to light the way for others.”
Fundraising update
Buddle Findlay:
Cholmondeley is proud to announce a new three-year partnership with the Buddle Findlay Child Health Foundation.
Established in 2004, the Foundation is a charitable trust overseen by three trustees Lisette Hood, Charlotte von Dadelszen, and Julia Gabrielle, all partners at Buddle Findlay based in the firm’s Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch office. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and young people facing a range of health and wellbeing challenges, including physical and mental health issues, disabilities, and family stress or crisis.
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Julia Gabrielle, Christchurch-based Buddle Findlay partner and trustee of the Foundation, shared
"We’re thrilled to partner with Cholmondeley and make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of tamariki in Canterbury. The positive energy at Cholmondeley reflects the incredible work their team does to build trust and create a nurturing environment for the children they support."
Both organisations are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring and look forward to the positive outcomes it will deliver for tamariki and their whānau in the years ahead.
Wright Family Foundation:
We are also excited to share that our partnership with the Wright Family Foundation will continue for another three years. The Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing, education, and development of children and families across Aotearoa — a mission that aligns beautifully with our values here at Cholmondeley. We’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing support and belief in the work we do.
For over two decades, founders Chloe and Wayne Wright have made an extraordinary impact through their humanitarian efforts, dedicating both time and resources to initiatives that uplift New Zealanders — with a strong focus on mothers and children.
Kylie Wright, Funding and Relationship Manager, shared:
“We are absolutely delighted to be supporting Cholmondeley Children’s Centre. Their dedication to creating a safe, nurturing space for tamariki in times of need aligns perfectly with our mission to build stronger, more resilient families throughout New Zealand. Their work is a powerful example of community care in action, and we’re proud to be working together to ‘Grow the Good’ for future generations.”
Nettles Lamont, the Cholmondeley Board Chair said “I am constantly amazed and uplifted by the wonderful support from people like Julia and Kylie their colleagues and families. Two of our values are collaboration and aroha which are on full display here”.
Alumni Story
Over 50 years ago, twin sisters Frances and her Sarah came to stay at Cholmondeley as seven-year-olds. Their mother was unwell and needed to remain in hospital, so Cholmondeley became a place of care.
Though many years have passed, Frances recently shared a heartfelt reflection with us. While she doesn’t remember every detail, the memories she does have are vivid.
She recalls arriving at Cholmondeley and being struck by the size of the large, white two-storey house - both exciting and a little overwhelming for two young girls. They were shown to their bedroom, where the beds were placed side by side. With childlike confidence, she told staff she would take the longer bed because she was taller than Sarah.
One of her strongest memories is of the teacher at the time, a tall, broad man with fair hair and a gentle, kind nature. His warm smile and calm presence made her feel safe and cared for. She remembers skipping happily off to school each day, while Sarah trailed behind more reluctantly.
Although their stay was brief, the feeling of kindness left a lasting impression. Decades later, the memory of Cholmondeley remains a happy one - a testament to the power of care, connection, and the small moments that matter most.
We are honoured to have played a part in this family’s journey, and stories like these continue to inspire our work every day.
Upcoming Events
We are excited to share the upcoming events:
We’re delighted to announce a new partnership with Fendalton New World, who are joining us as the Presenting Sponsor for our Centenary Little Gems Party. Their generous support is helping us create an unforgettable evening – and we’d love you to be part of it! Their incredible support means we can bring you a truly special night to mark this milestone.
Mark your calendars: Saturday 6th September, Christchurch Town Hall
Tickets will be available soon – we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
We’re incredibly honoured to be the chosen charity for TRUCK IT, proudly sponsored by Quirk Digital and Vortex Contracting. Join us on Sunday 24 August at the Christchurch Showgrounds for a fun-filled day featuring a city-wide truck convoy, bouncy castles, delicious food, live music, and games for the whole whānau!
Our popular annual Sailing Regatta returns on Friday the 17th of October at Te Ana Marina – Registration opens soon.