On 22 October, the 84 Recruitment team swapped their desks for the fairways at Wainui Golf and Function Centre to host their fifth annual Golf Day for Big Buddy. Twenty teams of four turned out, and together they raised $33,396. Much needed funds to recruit and screen volunteers for boys waiting for a mentor. It’s a fantastic result taking the cumulative fundraising effort from the past 5 days to over $140k.
We know times are tough for a lot of people right now. That makes the generosity in the room even more special. Everyone who showed up, donated a prize or put their hand up in the auction was really showing up for a boy who is waiting for a good man in his corner.
Hearing from Ros, a Little Buddy mum
One of the most powerful moments of the day came off the course. Rosalind (Ros) Warren stood up and shared her Big Buddy story.
When her son James lost his dad, Ros reached out to Big Buddy for support. James was matched with his Big Buddy, Eugene, who became a steady and positive presence in his life. As James got older, Big Buddy was still there for him through as he took part in on of our pilot Group Programmes for boys, and then went on to participate in Outward Bound as well.
Ros spoke about what that support has meant for James and for her as his mum. She reminded everyone in the room why this day matters. Behind every dollar raised is a mum, or caregiver, who wants him to have a good man in his corner. Thank you, Ros, for your courage and honesty. You gave us a real insight into your story and were incredible!
A huge thank you to 84 Recruitment
None of this happens without Mark Fisher, Founder of 84 Recruitment and the brains and passion of the golf day. With their fifth event now behind us, Mark and his team keep making it bigger and better. The whole 84 Recruitment team stepped away from their desks for the afternoon to run the day, and Mairead Sutton, Operations Manager, once again pulled it all together. You are legends, and we’re so grateful to have you in our corner.
Thank you also to Big Buddy helper Natasha MacLeod for getting our donors lined up.
To our amazing sponsors and supporters who made it possible
Thank you for your generosity – many of you have supported each and every golf day!
- Travis Field and the team at Fantail & Turtle
- Kris Cunningham, Shane Coote and Ray White Milford & Mairangi Bay
- Gus Evans and the team at Onboard Group
- Ghanum Taylor and Back Nine Golf New Zealand
- Tom and the team at Urbanaut Brewing Co.
- GSI Insurance Partners Ltd
- The team at Johnston Associates
A special shout-out to Kris Cunningham from Ray White, who did an outstanding job as auctioneer on his debut. Thanks too to everyone who bid in the live auction, especially the standout table led by Noel Barkley.
Congratulations to our golfing winners
- 1st place, the Grey Jacket and trophy: Maven, led by Toby Mandeno with Brendon Verhoeff, Lucan Campbell and team
- 2nd place: Classic Developments
- 3rd place: Onboard Group
Thank you to our auction and prize donors
More than 50 businesses and supporters donated auction items and prizes. Thank you to Live Auction donors:
- Grant Fox, Big Buddy ambassador and trustee
- Ryan Fox
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Marisa Fong
- QT Queenstown
- Skyline Queenstown Gondola and Luge
- Onsen Hot Pools
- Around The Basin
- Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club
- EcoZip Adventures Waiheke
- Wild Estate
- The Heke
- Fantail & Turtle
- All Blacks Experience
And Thank you to Silent Auction and Prize donors:
- Advanced Podiatry
- Ashley & Co
- Auckland FC
- Breakers
- Bunnings Grey Lynn and Westgate
- Caprice
- Chasing the Fox
- Chiropractic Alchemy
- Cotopaxi, Rumpl, Lamington and Hydro Flask
- Cousin Scott’s
- Golf New Zealand
- Golf Warehouse
- Le Visage
- LEGO
- Pak’nSave Silverdale
- PlaceMakers Wairau
- Queens Rooftop & Wineshop
- Roam Movement Studio
- Sabato
- Snowplanet
- Spark Arena
- Street Organics
- Subscription Boating Club
- Supreme Car Detailing
- The North Face
- Two Dudes
- U Studio
- Zamboni
- ZURU
What $33,396 means for our boys
Right now there are boys aged 7 to 13 on our waitlist. Their mums and caregivers have reached out because they want a positive male role model in their son’s life, and many have been waiting a long time.
The money raised at the golf day goes straight into recruiting, screening and matching more volunteer Big Buddies, so more of those boys can be matched. Every Big Buddy is carefully screened before being matched, because the safety of our boys always comes first. That work takes time, care and funding, and days like this make it possible.
Over almost 30 years, Big Buddy has matched almost 1,300 boys with a mentor. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the golf day, more boys will get that chance.
See you next year
To everyone who came along to Wainui, donated, bid or helped out: thank you. You’ve helped change the lives of boys who are waiting for someone in their corner. Mark has already promised next year will be even bigger, and we can’t wait.
Want to do more for a boy on our waitlist?
- Become a Big Buddy. Your time and friendship can change a boy’s life. Find out more
- Donate. Every dollar helps us recruit, screen and match more Big Buddies. Give today
- Host your own event. Inspired by 84 Recruitment? Get in touch and let’s talk.
