Cerebral Palsy Society – fundraising with Round the Bays 2024, coping with the summer heat, coffee group and more….

Kia ora,  

We hope the Christmas and New Year season treated you well, and we trust you are well settled into 2024.  

The team at the CP Society had a great break – we all enjoyed time with family and friends and while the return to work is always a struggle, we’re back and raring to go with great anticipation of what the year will bring.  

Fun run to raise funds for CP Society 

We’re calling on Cerebral Palsy Society members, their whānau, friends and colleagues to get behind Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy by taking part in the Southern Cross Round the Bays 2024.  

It’s happening on Sunday, March 3, 2024 on Auckland’s beautiful waterfront. The course is a flat surface so you can run, walk, or use a wheelchair. 

Click here to sign up for Round the Bays 2024 and start gathering donations for the Cerebral Palsy Society.

Entry fees range from $5 to $45 for individuals and $110 to $120 for families.  

Can’t make the date or location? No problem! You can participate virtually from wherever you are in Aotearoa. The fees range from $15 to $30.  

NB: Participants will need to cover the cost of their entry fee and arrange their own bib collection.  

All the event info is here. 

Coping in the summer heat 

The weather has been stunning around many parts of the country, but people living with Cerebral Palsy can be particularly affected by summer temperatures.

They may get dehydrated quickly due to common issues with temperature regulation, altered sensation and sensitive skin.  

We’ve put together some tips and ideas for getting through the summer heat. 

Coffee group dates 

Coffee groups get under way next month (February) in Auckland, Masterton and Wellington.  
The two Christchurch groups kick off in March (because those coffee groups fall on Tuesday February 6, Waitangi Day, so it won’t be going ahead).   

A companion, support worker and/or family member is welcome to accompany members to these groups. Up to $15 worth of refreshments per person is provided, compliments of the Cerebral Palsy Society.
For all the coffee group venues, dates and times check out our website.  

MightyKids Hydrotherapy 

MightyKids Rehab, in collaboration with the Wilson Home Trust, is running a 6-week goal based 1:1 hydrotherapy programme for children with physical disabilities. Spaces are now open for Term 2.  

The aim is to assist the child, and the family, in developing confidence with handling and exercises in the water that they can continue outside of the programme.   

Each session is approximately 30 min long and will be held on a Friday afternoon at the Wilson Centre, Takapuna, Auckland.  

Funding may be available through the Wilson Home Trust or to current financial members of the Cerebral Palsy Society via their e-card funding.

Click here for more info and to register or email info@mightykidsrehab.co.nz.

Māpura Studios – online art classes 

Māpura Studios is hosting an art programme that is open to everyone – no matter where you live, whether you have Cerebral Palsy or not. 

A Stroke of Creativity starts again on February 1. Sign up today and become a Māpura Online Artist (MOA). 
MOA is online so it doesn’t matter where you live.
Classes are FREE – all you pay for are the art materials, if you need them, but the costs are kept low and can be sent to you.
Thursdays 10.00 – 11.30am 
1st February – 11th April (11 weeks) 
Click here to enroll.

Steam trains on Waitangi Day

If you’re going to be in Auckland on Waitangi Day, consider adding this one to your to do list.  

The annual free Waitangi Day train rides for kids with special needs is being held by the Manukau Live Steamers Inc. at Centre Park, Robertson Rd, Mangere.  

Bring your drink bottles, blankets, hats and energy.
Sausage sizzle lunch, water, fruit and sunscreen will be supplied.  
Volunteers will be on hand to offer assistance.  
Trains will be on the track from 11am – 3pm.  
For more info, contact Lynne 021 959 106 or ikon@xtra.co.nz  

Halberg Games 2024

The Halberg Games are just around the corner! This national sports tournament spans three days and is open to young athletes aged 8-21 with a physical disability or visual impairment. 

The 2024 games are on from April 19 – 21 at Kings College, Auckland. 

It’s a unique experience for athletes to participate in a genuine games village setting that includes opening and closing ceremonies.  

Competing in regional teams, participants get to explore their competitive spirit and try their hand at new sports. 

A wide range of sports are on offer, such as adaptive crossfit challenge, athletics, swimming, golf, gymnastics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, badminton, archery, rowing, pop tennis, wheelchair rugby, powerchair football, rugby, turbo touch, taekwondo, table tennis, ambulant football, and adaptive cricket.

Click here for more information and to register.

Research Opportunities 

You’re invited! 
The Flourishing Together research project is calling on disabled people (and their whānau) to share their stories, thoughts and expertise about how they can best have choices related to their housing/home needs and aspirations. 

The survey is asking disabled people about the things that made it easier or harder for them to find a home that worked well for them and their families. 

You’ll find all the info on our Research Opportunities page. 

Check your e-card balance 

Did you know you can check the balance on your e-card? 

 – You can go to https://ecardsolutions.nz/portal/cps/    
– OR check your last receipt 

Click here for more information about our e-card funding programme. 

That’s all for this month. I look forward to bringing you more news and updates next month. Hopefully you find some ways to keep cool, and enjoy the summer weather 

Ngā mihi,   
Clare and the CP Society team 

Clare Williams    
General Manager