For Immediate Release

9 July 2013

Rotorua children benefit from 16th year of Trust funding amounting to $1.9M

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust announced today it has surpassed $1.9 million granted to Rotorua schools for them to use to fund a wide range of extra-curricular activities and resources.

Since 1997, the Trust has provided each secondary school in the Rotorua District with an annual $25 grant for each student on their enrolment. Nine schools benefitted from the co-curricular funding this year.

Lakes High School is one that has benefitted over the years - this year receiving $16,000 from the Trust. Principal, Bruce Walker, says, “The annual grant we receive from the Trust is a huge help. It provides funding we wouldn’t otherwise have to help children access resources they need to fully enjoy experiences such as being on sports teams or involvement with clubs. For instance, our girl’s squash team was able to purchase uniforms this year with the Trust grant.

“We also use the money to provide petrol allowances to adult volunteers and coaches who are travelling outside the district to support children’s activities. We’ve also used the grant to help all our Year 13 students attend a leadership course in Auckland.

“We’re fortunate in this District to have an organisation like the Rotorua Trust providing this unique benefit to our District’s schools and students,” explained Mr Walker.

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust CEO, Stuart Burns, says, “Our Trust is proud of the support we provide young people throughout the District. Not only did we provide schools with $525,000 in co-curricular funding last year, we also helped 180 students with awards and scholarships.

“That means every secondary school student in Rotorua has been helped in some way by the Trust during this past year.

“The goal of every funding dollar we give is to help make Rotorua a great place to live, work and play and the schools tell us the annual co-curricular funding we provide is making a difference to the lives of our community’s children.”

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust provides monthly grants to a wide range of organisations throughout the district. Plus, it is the region’s most significant provider of student scholarships and support for high-performing youth.

Find out more about the Trust and the grants and student support it provides at: www.rotoruatrust.org.nz or phone 07 347 6239.

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