Morning tea will tomorrow (Friday) be served to this country’s political leaders by five specially chosen leaders of the future.
Lincoln University’s Future Leaders will serve Prime Minister John Key and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, among others, at a function at Nokomai Station near Queenstown.
The students’ attendance is part of their Lend A Hand initiative, where they have offered their services during their mid-year break. The students are fundraising for two Christchurch organisations – Van Asch School for the Deaf and Burwood Spinal Trust.
Lincoln University Scholarship Manager Jane Edwards says the idea came from the students who wanted to contribute to Christchurch following the February earthquake and selected these two local organisations as worthy recipients of their support.
“Both organisations have been affected by the earthquake but they also have a national identity, with services provided to people outside Canterbury,” says Jane.
“The students decided to offer to ‘lend a hand’ in their respective hometown regions during the term breaks. Our Future Leaders are, as the name suggests, high achievers with a lot to offer, so I’m not surprised they are giving up their break to help others.
“Getting to serve morning tea to the country’s leaders will be aspirational and exciting for them. They have already told me they hope to tell as many people as possible about our Future Leaders programme and their Lend A Hand fundraiser. I suspect they also plan to take a bucket around for some donations.”
Background:
Details of Lend A Hand
Students are available (a minimum of two in a team) to undertake general labouring duties for a day (or more if required) in exchange for a contribution to the special fund.
The students will be available from June 24 – July 10 and/or August 22 – September 4 in the following regions: Otago/Southland; Mid/South Canterbury; Nelson/Marlborough; Wellington/Wairarapa/Manawatu; Bay of Plenty; Waikato; Auckland/Northland.
The volunteer work the students are engaging in during the June/July break includes vineyard maintenance in Marlborough, to farm work in Waimate to establishing a cycle trail in Greytown.