A warm welcome, from Mayor Judy Turner and Deputy Mayor Andrew Iles awaited the trustees and recipients of three endowment funds granted in the Whakatane District recently. 

Over a carefully prepared afternoon tea, the recipient organisations were able to share some of the challenges they have faced in the past ten months. 

Alzheimers Eastern Bay of Plenty representatives, Bryce Sheedy (Manager) and Susi Shaw (Board Chair) spoke about the isolation of clients and families living with dementia and how Covid had further impacted their already tenuous situation. The granted funds would be used to increase volunteer participation with families in external cognitive activities. 

Look Good Feel Better, a charity that supports patients on their cancer journey through a very body-positive, well-being and makeover experience, was also present to receive the first grant ever from Susan Bedford, daughter of the late Robyn Towersey QSM, champion, fundraiser and advocate for Look Good Feel Better in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.  This will enable more classes to be held, especially in rural New Zealand. 

Arts Whakatane have also received a grant from the fund they set up to promote excellence in Youth Arts within the Whakatane District.

Covid-19 has certainly impacted on exposure opportunities for young artists from the district to travel to workshops and performance training seminars, nationally and internationally.  It is hoped that once again in 2021, there will again be a chance to encourage youth from the district to further their education and enhancement of their chosen craft.