When the McKenzie Centre roof gets a much needed repaint in April, a donation from the Legacy Trust will help pay for it.
Legacy Funerals Hamilton branch manager Jordan Goss confirmed the $1500 grant before Christmas and visited McKenzie Centre, when the first term started last week, to congratulate them and have a tour of the centre.
It has been more than 15 years since McKenzie Centre’s roof in Hamilton has been painted and Business Support coordinator Lillian Martin knows how important it is to maintain it before it needs major repairs.
The charitable trust gets funding from Whaikaha (Ministry of Disabled People) and Education ministries targeted specifically at Early Childhood intervention and support for children from birth to school age - within a 50 kilometre radius of its Hammond Street base - with developmental delays or disabilities.
But necessary improvements or significant maintenance – such as the roof repaint – are impossible without other funding.
“If we want to do anything like maintenance, we rely on funding grants,” she said.
Legacy Funerals is owned by the Legacy Trust which is a registered charitable trust established by former Tauranga mayor and former Hamiltonian Gregory Brownless in 2007 when he gifted his funeral business to the community.
Since then, more than $3.8 million has been gifted to Bay of Plenty and Waikato community groups. Last year Legacy Funerals moved further north establishing a venue in Hamilton. Long-standing Cambridge Funerals, which was acquired by Legacy Funerals in 2018, also underwent a rebrand to carry the Legacy Funerals name.
Jordan began his career in the funeral industry in 2009 and is currently president of the New Zealand Embalmers Association.
Part of the reason he joined Legacy Funerals in August last year was the Legacy Trust’s commitment to its communities.
“It’s a great thing from my point of view because not only do we get to support families through their grief in our day-to-day roles in the funeral profession, but we are also able to support the community in other areas.”
Jordan’s partner Renee is currently working on placement with Enrich+ in Te Awamutu - part of the Enrich Group family of organisations, which also includes McKenzie Centre – that supports people with disabilities and those living with autism and neurodiversities.
“So, I have an understanding of the work Enrich+ does and now I’m keen on learning more about McKenzie Centre and continuing our support,” said Jordan.
“We want to be able to grow our business in the Waikato so we can give donations to many different organisations. We have several groups we want to sponsor and support. We know there’s a need on the ground and how important this grant is for the roof repair.”
McKenzie Centre uses a model of trans-disciplinary early intervention which builds a team of health and education professionals around the child and whānau.
“Our highly trained team develop specific strategies, in partnership with parents, to support children to learn and develop to the best of their ability, to achieve both short-term goals and long-term success. Just as importantly, our staff also provide whānau with effective skills, knowledge and confidence to enable them to practically assist the learning and development of their child whilst at home,” said Lillian.
