It was a pleasure this morning to have Srg Rhys Smith who is the Youth Aid Officer for the Glen Innes Police Station, come along on a cold wet morning to give us the low down on what he does in his role as Youth Aid Officer and how he is involved with the Steve Farelly Foundation.
Free food hampers and a sympathetic ear are on offer to East Auckland families whose kids are missing school.
Food hampers being prepared by Sergeant Rhys Smith and volunteers
Steve Farrelly founded Breakfast Club Kids in 2010.
“We all just wanted to make a difference, and get the kiddies back to school.”
Farelly said, it’s important for children to know “there is someone who cares about them”.
“When police go to the houses they've got a social worker and a volunteer, and if there is anything that house needs, we will sort it.
“We hope they will see police are not just here for enforcement but also for support, and engage better with us and social workers,” says Smith.
Local charity Breakfast Club Kids works closely with local supermarkets and retailers to source items for the hampers either for free or at a discounted price.
Typical items include toilet paper, tissues, cans of corned beef and coconut cream.
Charity founder Steve Farrelly, said supermarkets and retailers have been “incredible”.
It’s a joint initiative between a local charity and police, who have previously raised concerns about low attendance rates in Glenn Innes.
“Some families are struggling,” says Sergeant Rhys Smith, who works on youth aid for the Auckland City East district.
Parental anxiety, condoned absenteeism and sickness are among the top three reasons why children miss school.
Sergeant Kevin this morning, was trying very hard to extract funds from the members to support the Middlemore Foundation Jammies in June appeal.
So many members bought along bags of lovely jammies they had purchased. Many thanks to all those who took part in the project. Julie came to breakfast in her warm flannelette pj’s and Gabby arrived in a pair of Qatar p’s and slippers.
The good news is that St Johns Ellerslie RC will be donating $500.00 to the cause, along with all the wonderful jammies bought by our members.
A very worthwhile cause to support. Thank you everyone.
Notes from President Robert
The Board had a meeting last Tuesday and it was passed that we support:
Auckland City Mission – Food appeal for $1,000.00
Hayleigh Frost – to improve her disability and will travel to Canada for further physio $1,000.00
Emily Shaw – support for her to attend the Outward Bound course $1,000.00
Stonefields School – Netball team travelling to the Aims Games in September, for sports gear - $750.00 which entitles use to become a sponsor and supply our logo for advertising.