Hi everyone,
As we head into winter, I’m reflecting on just how much we’ve achieved together so far this year. By the end of May, we had put together 946 care packs for children in care - each one a reminder that there is love and support surrounding these children when they need it most.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to 11 different groups sharing important updates and raising awareness about what we do. Kids in Need has also connected with 79 caregivers at 12 coffee groups across Putāruru, Te Kuiti, Waihi, Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
These gatherings are such an important part of what we do - offering not only practical support but a chance to connect, share stories, and remind caregivers they’re not alone.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of 103 donors, as well as the backing of many individuals and organisations, we were able to raise $21,000 through our Warmer Winter campaign. This means hundreds of tamariki will be wrapped in warmth and care over the coming months.
Thank you for continuing to walk alongside us. Your support makes every care pack, every connection, and every moment of encouragement possible.
With love,
Linda Roil
Founder
Kids in Need Waikato
IMPACT (AS AT 31 MAY 2025)
SPECIAL FEEDBACK
We are incredibly proud to provide a level of service, quality, and care that not only meets practical needs but also ensures every child and caregiver we support feels genuinely valued and cared for. Feedback like this reaffirms why we do what we do - and highlights the incredible generosity of our wider community, whose support makes it all possible.
WARMER WINTER
Thanks to our incredible community, together we were able to raise $21,000 for winter essentials in just 24 days!
Thank you to every individual and organisation who supported the campaign, and everyone who continues to support Kids in Need this winter. Here’s to a winter made warmer, together!
CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS
COLOUR CAMBRIDGE IS BACK!
After an amazing response to our inaugural event last year, we are so excited to once again host Colour Cambridge on Sunday 19th October 2025 at the Hautapu Rugby Grounds! This year's event is going to be bigger and better - we hope you can join us! Tickets go on sale 1st August! Follow our socials for more information.
VOLUNTEER UPDATE
Our volunteers really are the heart and soul of Kids in Need and we are incredibly grateful for their time, energy and support. We currently have 17 regular shed volunteers who come in once a week to sort donations and make care packs. We also have dozens of volunteers who support us from home by sewing care pack bags, mending clothes, washing donations and making pack name tags. Thank you for all you do!
DONOR HIGHLIGHT
We’re fortunate to have the support of many incredible businesses and groups that regularly support Kids in Need. Carricks, a Cambridge-based financial advisory business, believes that giving back to the community is a core part of who they are. As long-time supporters of our work, we’re incredibly grateful to have them on this journey with us.
“I met Linda at a Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, home based business network event in 2018. She shared her story of how she was caring for a baby, and how they were looking to grow a support network for grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Initially we supported KIN on a personal basis as a family, before moving it to a business level and making a donation towards the van, followed by regular, ongoing donations. We are proud to support such an important and local charity, the work that KIN does and the support provided to not only the children, but the caregivers as well, is amazing” Nick Carrick
THANK YOU!
We are so grateful for the incredible grants from the following groups:
We'd like to thank the following groups for their financial contribution to Kids in Need Waikato (March-May):
PROJECT DOGGY BAG
Nine Thirty Architecture, together with a team of incredible businesses, spent 18 months crafting a one-of-a-kind transportable studio - built entirely from second-hand materials. “Project Doggy Bag” was an innovative and sustainable build, featuring wall linings made from UHT milk cartons, expired Lotto tickets, and various plastics.
We were absolutely thrilled to be the chosen recipients of the proceeds from its Trade Me auction, where the studio sold for an amazing $6,650! It has now found a permanent home at Bullswool Heritage Farm in the beautiful Karangahake Gorge.
KIN continues to be blown away by the creativity and generosity of our community. A huge thank you to Nine Thirty Architecture and all involved.
KEEPING KIDS IN NEED MOVING!
We are so grateful to our wonderful vehicle sponsors, whose generous annual support covers the ongoing running costs of our vehicles. A warm welcome to our newest vehicle sponsor, Project J Auto! We’d also like to extend our thanks to The Wash Club for keeping our vehicles looking clean and tidy through their sponsorship of regular car washes.
Is your business interested in sponsoring the KIN vehicles?
Each year, our KIN ute and van travel approximately 40,000km delivering care packs, collecting community donations, and attending talks, meetings, and caregiver coffee groups. As a vehicle sponsor, your business will be acknowledged on our website, in social media posts, newsletters, our annual report - and proudly displayed on the vehicles themselves.
If you’d like to help keep us moving, we’d love to hear from you!
HOW CAN YOU HELP THIS MONTH?
Since January, 107 new children have been referred to Kids in Need Waikato - each one needing a full care pack valued at $250 to help them feel safe, warm, and supported.
Your donation can provide clothing, toiletries and comfort items - reminding children that they are not alone.
DONATE NOW to sponsor a care pack and make an immediate difference.
Thank you for your ongoing support with donations of preloved and brand new items. These are the items we are most in need of at the moment - donations can be dropped off to any of our drop-off locations.
