Spring washed over winter this year, refusing to let up on the rain until it reluctantly gave up for the last match of the Rugby World Cup.  What a battle of will and skill that was! I think New Zealand held its collective breath for most of the second half. It was tense and intense but now it’s over and we, the winners, have to quickly turn our minds to another election and get our heads around the not  insignificant  issues  facing us.
Let’s hope we’ll all be winners  in that match as well.

My good friend and mentor, Bruce Mackie, passed away this month and I feel the emptiness of this loss acutely. He left a
large hole in the fabric of things and I am not alone in saying I will miss him terribly. Coming so close on the back of my
father dying was … a bugger.  But, as always, life goes on and knowing two of Bruce’s grandsons have Big Buddies, softens
the blow some. I am also the proud new grandfather of Charlie – a bright new, soft star in the ongoing cycle of life.

I’m also heartened to report the work of Big Buddy continues to go from strength to strength. This year we are on track to make the most matches ever (415 matches all time – 203 currently supported), so more fatherless boys than ever will be helped. This is down to some stellar work from the Big Buddy team – our Coordinators – Martin, Steve, Stephen and Scott – solidly engaged in the front line work; Kim and Jean keeping the financial engine room humming; Jude our fundraiser keeping the engine fuelled and Ruth keeping our stories in the media. We’ve had a couple of great stories in the New Zealand Women’s Weekly, one in the NZ Herald and we’ve been on the telly – all good.

As our story grows, so too does our funding base. The Freemasons are kicking in with donations, reflecting our shared
philosophy that healthy men make for a healthy society. Nivea is also about to kick-start a campaign that Big Buddy will
benefit from – watch out for it and hold onto your beards!

Yes, the Big Buddy waka is steady and strong, sailing into summer with hope and anticipation of great things to come.

Go well friend, Richard

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