A Lottery grant of $25,000 last year, and $20,000 in 2009, has gone towards the salary for a full time manager, and three part time support workers, who make up the team running the programme.
The programme is based at Naenae Boxing Academy, where gym training encourages healthy living, respectful relationships and the setting of personal goals. The manager of the academy is Billy Graham, who works full time for the Trust and also speaks professionally as a motivational speaker to supplement the Trust’s income.
Billy was awarded the 2011 New Zealander of the Year Award’s Local Hero Award for his work through the academy, providing a place of encouragement, guidance and belonging for at-risk young men in the Lower Hutt area,
The Lottery Grants Board’s Wellington / Wairarapa Community Committee provided the most grants, and the Trust also received a $3,000 grant from COGS (Community Organisation Grants Scheme).
