September 2026
With World Gratitude Day on 21 September, gratitude was a big focus for our children last month as part of our 30 Days of Kindness Challenge.
Each day brought a different challenge, encouraging tamariki to think about how small acts of kindness can make a difference. For World Gratitude Day, they made cards for someone they were grateful for, as well as thank-you cards for Z Bryndwr, Z Cashmere, and Z Moorhouse who supported us through Z Good in the Hood. Thanks team!
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was another highlight, with children learning some of the kupu and phrases we regularly use at Cholmondeley and having a go at tuku tuku weaving.
There was plenty of time for getting out and about too. Children enjoyed gymnastics sessions, visits to local playgrounds and exploring the outdoors, as well as an evening at the Illuminate Light Festival.
For World Rivers Day, the Kura team brought learning to life by creating a large tuna (eel) artwork. They also made little boats to float down the river, an experience to explore, ask questions and learn more about the waterways around them.
It was a busy month at the Centre, with every experience creating a sense of belonging, building confidence, curiosity and connection. And behind every one of these moments is a community of people who believe Canterbury's tamariki deserve a safe place where they can thrive.
Kind regards,
The Cholmondeley Team
30 years of support from ILAM Toyota
For more than 30 years, ILAM Toyota has been a loyal supporter of Cholmondeley, standing alongside us to help Canterbury children and their families when they need it most.
We’re incredibly grateful to Paul Taylor, Branch Manager, Mark Mills, CEO, and the wider ILAM Toyota team for their longstanding commitment to Cholmondeley and the children we care for.
Over the years, ILAM Toyota’s support has taken many forms. They have been a Principal Sponsor of a range of Cholmondeley events, including our Little Gems Cocktail Party and Annual Cholmondeley Golf Tournament, as well as donating auction items for Little Gems and other fundraising events, and provided vehicles for raffles. They have also supported us through payroll giving with their Just-a-Buck initiative, with employees making fortnightly donations directly from their pay.
Their support goes well beyond fundraising. ILAM Toyota has provided vehicles for our management team, volunteered their time on-site, taken part in corporate cooking, and helped families accessing our service with interest-free vehicle options.
What makes this partnership particularly special is the genuine connection ILAM Toyota’s people have with Cholmondeley. Their employees have personally chosen to support our work through Just-a-Buck, helping to provide Canterbury children with the opportunity to simply be children in a safe, caring and supportive environment.
Thirty years is an incredible milestone, and long-term support like this means so much to us. It gives us the confidence and stability to keep our doors open and continue being here for children and their families through some of the most challenging times in their lives. Most importantly, it reminds us that we don’t have to do this work alone. We have people in our community who believe in Cholmondeley and continue to stand beside us, year after year.
Thank you, ILAM Toyota, for 30 years of generosity. We’re incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and proud to have you as such an important part of the Cholmondeley family.
Upcoming events
Cholmondeley’s Sailing Regatta proudly presented by John Jones Steel
Ready to swap the office for the harbour?
Looking for a team event with a difference?
Get your crew together and join us for the Cholmondeley Sailing Regatta proudly presented by John Jones Steel on Friday 16 October.
Whether you’re keen to get out on the water and compete, or simply enjoy a great day out with your team, there’s an option for you.
3-person, 4-person, 6-person and 10-person boats are available, or bring a group of up to 20 and enjoy the cruise boat, where you can relax, spectate and soak up the atmosphere.
No sailing experience? No problem. Experienced skippers and crew will guide you throughout the day, making it a great opportunity to host clients, reward staff or simply enjoy an unforgettable day on the harbour for a great cause.
$150 + GST per person
$3,000 + GST for the full cruise boat
It’s a great day on the water, a chance to bring your team together and, most importantly, help raise vital funds for Canterbury tamariki and their whānau.
Click below to enter a team or find out more.
Pedalling for Growing Futures
When: Saturday 17 October - Tuesday 27 October
Where: Picton to Bluff
From Picton to Bluff, Nettles Lamont, Chair of the Cholmondeley Board, is taking on an epic 1,196-kilometre cycling challenge over 10 days to raise funds and awareness for Cholmondeley Children’s Centre. Starting on 17 October, Nettles will cycle the length of the South Island, taking on mountain climbs, winding roads and plenty of kilometres along the way. Click the button below to head to the Givealittle page where you can follow Nettles’ journey, get behind her and help her go the distance for Cholmondeley!
Halloween Karma Keg at Moon Under Water
When: Saturday 31 October, 3-5pm
Where: Moon Under Water (152 Somerfield Street)
What better way to spend Halloween than partaking in a Karma Keg at Moon Under Water? Feel free to dress up in Halloween costumes, or not, but we'll have a heap of lollies. So, you could spend your afternoon walking the streets trick-or-treating, or instead head along for a beer, bring the kids and score some brownie points. Plus, every cent of the Karma Koha you pay for a pint of delicious Three Boys beer goes to Cholmondeley. It's a win-win-win-win (beer, candy, brownie points, good karma) – what more could you want?
Over $90,000 raised at Little Gems!
What a night! Our Little Gems Cocktail Party, proudly presented by ILAM TOYOTA and supported by Harcourts Holmwood Real Estate, raised more than $90,000 for Cholmondeley.
We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the evening possible, from our generous sponsors and donors to our wonderful guests, volunteers and event suppliers.
A special thank you to ILAM TOYOTA, for their longstanding commitment to providing a safe and caring home away from home for Canterbury tamariki.
There were plenty of highlights on the night, with Hilary Muir and Fitzy from The Breeze Canterbury 94.5FM keeping the room entertained, Tracie Wilson from Runacres Insurance sharing her moving Cholmondeley story, DangerBaby bringing the energy, Nick Scarlett setting the scene as guests arrived, the Little Gems tree supported by Merivale Mall and participating stores, and Dan Pengelly from Harcourts Holmwood Real Estate working his magic in the auction room.
Thank you also to the Westpac team, and all our volunteers for helping make the night happen, and to Brandhouse for generously supplying much of the alcohol for the evening.
And finally, thank you to Charlie Rose Creative for capturing the night so beautifully.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Little Gems 2026 such a success. Your support makes a real difference to Canterbury tamariki and their whānau.
Click below to view the event photos.
Cause Related Giving Support Cholmondeley with your next website project!
We’re excited to be working with Ellie from CleanSlate Marketing, who has generously offered to donate 15% of every website project booked through Cholmondeley directly back to the Centre.
With over 15 years of experience across marketing, branding and website design, Ellie creates professional, strategic websites at accessible price points, with packages designed to suit businesses at different stages.
Website packages start from:
Starter Website: $3,750 + GST
Core Website: $5,500 + GST
E-commerce Website: From $7,000 + GST
And by booking your project through Cholmondeley, 15% of your website investment will be donated back to the Centre, that's approximately $560 to $1,050 for every project booked.
So, if a new website or website refresh is on your business to do list, you can invest in your business while helping support the children and families of Cholmondeley.
Click below to find out more.
A Month of Kindness, Connection and Discovery
September was filled with kindness, learning, creativity and adventure, giving our tamariki plenty of opportunities to discover new things, build confidence and enjoy being themselves.
There is something very special about seeing a child feel safe enough to explore, create, laugh and simply enjoy being a child. You can help create more moments like these for Canterbury children by clicking the donate button below.