Media Release

For immediate release



9th November 2011

Survivor Scooter fundraiser a success

Project KPH has raised a grand total of $4500 to add to the charity’s bank balance after an epic Survivor Scooter fundraiser held over Labour Weekend.


This event marks the first fundraising efforts for the charity after some changes in 2011 that mean broader objectives in order to help a wider range of people.


The Survivor Scooter event saw twelve participants ride 50cc mighty machines over a four day journey, including stopovers in Kaiteriteri, Murchison and Punikaiki. The trip also included a testing route through the back of Denniston, which required participants to carry their scooters across a river.


“We rode from Picton to Greymouth covering over 700km’s with most of it off road, on 50cc scooters. The contingent left Picton at around 10am on Thursday 20 October and arrived in Greymouth at the legendary Battle of the Streets motorcycle races on Sunday 23 October, where we were part of the on track entertainment at lunch time,” says Project KPH founder, Leah Evans.


“You wouldn’t believe where these scooters went, we’re talking some serious off road trail riding here, including crossing the Mackley River, which would have been challenging enough on an appropriate dirt bike – and we did it on scooters! I’ll never look at a scooter the same way again - it was hilarious, so much fun,” laughs Leah


“Project KPH was nominated as the official charity of the Survivor Scooter event with part of the entry fee donated, as well as riders being able to raise funds along the way.”


Leah says she is very pleasantly surprised by the funds raised, the efforts that fellow entrants went to, and the generosity of the public met along the way.


“I really didn’t expect that we would raise a figure like that! We’re all excited with the outcome and very grateful to Survivor Scooter for nominating us as the official charity.


“There were a few of us who took the opportunity to dress up which I think went a long way to helping with collections. We had a ‘Ponch’ (from the show Chips), a ‘Hot Rod’ (an American stunt bike rider), and I rode as a punked ‘Tinkerbell’.


“It was a lot of fun as well as a serious challenge in every way. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life, made better by the fantastic group of people involved and the fact I got to help raise funds for Project KPH.”


Jason Monopoli, Survivor Scooter creator and head of MAD DOG Challenge says he feels privileged to be involved in Project KPH, and for the organisation to be involved in making a contribution to the charity.


“Project KPH gave me the opportunity to be personally involved by providing an inclusion for my son who has the gift of Autism at an event held at Ruapuna Raceway in November 2009 which was a wonderful event where he was able to just be himself and experience a truly special day out. We want to help raise funds so that the fantastic work that Project KPH does can be extended to help other kids with similar situations” says Jason.


Project KPH was established by Rotorua woman Leah Evans in October 2007, taking two “rev heads” with Cerebral Palsy to Pukekohe for Round One of the tier one motorsport competition. Since then, over one hundred children have participated in events and activities across New Zealand.


Project KPH launched new, broader objectives in 2011 which see the New Zealand youth focused charity offer opportunities to young people living with terminal illness, disease, disability, and/or other special conditions experience the rewards of realising their talents and dreams through unique projects that fit their passion and interests.

The project aims to provide a safe, positive, and encouraging environment to nurture and develop natural abilities and interests by getting up close and personal with the cream of New Zealand’s talent to build a bank of sustainable skills and resources.

Project KPH wasted no time in putting its new objectives into action with the first project ensuring a gutsy five year old girl named Zahnee who is passionate about horses is undertaking the opportunity and challenge to learn to ride, with the crescendo competing at a ribbon day – and then publishing a book about her experience to inspire other disadvantaged kids.


“Project KPH has had an unbelievably positive impact on these children and their families, it’s humbling, it’s magic. It’s an experience that is unique and holds true meaning for them.


“While these kids may have different individual challenges, they all have one thing in common – a passion for making the most of life. We try to help make that happen – it’s a simple format with genuine Kiwi heart, it just seems to really work.”


For further information about Project KPH, check out http://www.projectkph.com/ and the Facebook pages for both Project KPH and Survivor Scooter.


-ends-


For further information, contact:

Leah Evans

M 027 279 5523

E leah@projectkph.com

Survivor Scooter - Project KPH Labour Weekend Shenanigans!

For Immediate Release


6th October 2011



Project KPH launches new objectives with Survivor Scooter Fundraiser



The 2011 Survivor Scooter Challenge is about to hit the roads of the South Island this labour weekend, with 12 riders completing a route from Picton to Greymouth to raise money for Project KPH.



Organised by Mad Dog Challenge, this year’s Survivor Scooter event will see participants ride 50cc scooters on a four day journey on - and off - roads, with stopovers in Kaiteriteri, Murchison and Punikaiki. The route also includes a testing leg through the back of Denniston, which will require participants to carry their scooters across a river. The challenge will finish at the Greymouth Battle of the Streets Motorcycle street race.



The participants who arrive in Greymouth with their scooters still operational will be on display at the Greymouth Battle of the Streets on Sunday the 23rd of October, where locals can find out more about the annual ride and its supported youth based charity Project KPH.



Project KPH is a registered charitable trust which enables young people living with terminal illness, disease, disability, and/or other special conditions to experience the rewards of realising their talents and dreams through unique projects that fit their passion and interests.



The project aims to provide a safe, positive, and encouraging environment to nurture and develop natural abilities and interests by getting up close and personal with the cream of New Zealand’s talent to build a bank of sustainable skills and resources.

In its latest project, the organisation has been working with a gutsy five year old girl named Zahnee who is passionate about horses. She is undertaking the opportunity and challenge to learn to ride, with the crescendo competing at a ribbon day – and then publishing a book about her experience to inspire other disadvantaged kids.

“It’s all go,” says Project KPH founder Leah Evans, who in a bid to help raise funds for the charity is also set to ride the Scooter Challenge in a test of stamina, mental and physical agility.



“I’m really excited about it! It’s an adventure which fits me perfectly and to have the opportunity to raise funds for Project KPH in the process is an awesome opportunity,” says an enthusiastic Evans.



“Part of the entry fee is donated back to Project KPH, with riders then raising extra dollars along the way for the charity of their choice – obviously I’m riding for Project KPH.



“It’s not going to be easy but it’s not meant to be either, hence the name ‘Survivor Scooter’. I’ve done a fair bit of trail riding but never on a scooter - they’re not known for their off road abilities but that’s the whole point!” says Leah.



“Project KPH literally runs on the smell of an oily rag. It is completely funded through sponsorship and donations, with all funding spent on projects for these deserving kids. The administration and support are all provided on a voluntary basis.



“We’re so grateful that Mad Dog Challenge created the Survivor Scooter adventure and chose to support Project KPH, the funds raised will be a welcome boost for the charity.”



Jason Monopoli, Survivor Scooter creator and head of Mad Dog Challenge says he feels privileged to be involved in Project KPH, and for his event to be involved in making a contribution to the charity.



“Project KPH gave me the opportunity to be personally involved by providing an inclusion for my son, who has the gift of Autism, at an event held at Ruapuna Raceway in November 2009. This was a wonderful event where he was able to just be himself and experience a truly special day out. We want to help raise funds so that the fantastic work that Project KPH does can be extended to help other kids with similar situations,” says Jason.



Professional photographer, Stephen Gyde from Octane Images of Auckland, joins the Survivor Scooter brigade, providing high quality and what will no doubt be highly entertaining photographic evidence, says Leah.



“I predict the Keeway Scooter that I’ve been given the use of, and its rider, arriving in Greymouth looking somewhat secondhand but having had an absolute blast. I’m sure the photography and footage will be hilarious. And as well as achieving a hideously sore bum and several bad hair days, I’m helping raise funds for Project KPH.”



Project KPH was established by Rotorua woman Leah Evans in October 2007, taking two “rev heads” with Cerebral Palsy to Pukekohe for Round One of the tier one motorsport competition. Since then, over one hundred children have participated in events and activities across New Zealand.



“Project KPH has had an unbelievably positive impact on these children and their families, it’s humbling, it’s magic. It’s an experience that is unique and holds true meaning for them.



“While these kids may have different individual challenges, they all have one thing in common – a passion for making the most of life. We try to help make that happen – it’s a simple format with genuine Kiwi heart, it just seems to really work.”



For further information about Project KPH, check out www.projectkph.com and the Facebook pages for both Project KPH and Survivor Scooter.



-ends-


Leah Evans
Project KPH
027 279 5523

Welcome to Zahnee's Project!

Zahnee is a beautiful, clever, and ambitious five year old girl who has loads of character and loves horses.

She was born with a rare facial vascular Hemangioma Tumour that stemmed from behind her right eye and also lives with Aspergers Syndrome. And although she struggles in many ways due to her medical issues, her Mum Jade describes her as ‘bright and bubbly’.

In mid September 2011 Zahnee will travel with her parents Jade and Paul to the United States to have a life-changing operation on her right eye that cannot be offered here in New Zealand. Jade and Paul are currently fundraising as hard as they can. Donations are able to be direct credited to: ‘Zahnee’s Cause’ 12-3217-0140729-00

This is a journal of Zahnee’s journey to creating and manifesting her dreams of learning to ride a pony and competing in a ribbon day; and, writing a children’s book to inspire empathy and understanding of children who may look a bit different.

We are building a photo story as well as gathering footage for a movie of her journey which will be presented to her at the completion of her project; this will serve as much treasured tangible memories of her special project, affirm that she can, and provide a valuable source of inspiration in the years to come.

On Saturday the 13th August 2011 Zahnee took the first step to creating this reality. From here every week through to the 9th September 2011 we met for a riding lesson. Zahnee now heads to the States for her operation and we will resume the lessons once she is well enough. From here we will find an appropriate event where she will compete. In the meantime we will be working on finding a publisher and illustrator who wish to help us with her book.

Special acknowledgements to:

• Linda & Kev Hitchman - who have provided us with the use of ‘Matchie’, riding gear, facilities and giving up her time to help.

• Mark Lamb - who is travelling with Leah each week, volunteering professional photography services to capture the adventure.

Thank you both for being a special and important part of helping Zahnee realising her dreams.

Zahnee simply shines in her uniqueness and has a meaningful and important message, join us as we help Zahnee convey this in her heartlifting journey.

~~ Project KPH now has a page on Facebook. If you click 'Like' you can follow our adventures and check out all our cool pics http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.203212469749743.45682.158861080851549#!/pages/Project-KPH/158861080851549 ~~