Guardian trust distributes estate gift of more than $50,000 to two disability charities

Two disability charities are the grateful recipients of a monetary gift from a late Canterbury benefactor. Guardian Trust last month administered a donation from the estate of Marion Green, who died in 1990 and left the instruction that her estate would be held in perpetuity and an annual distribution shared equally between the Crippled Children’s Society (CCS Disability Action) and the IHC. This year, each charity will receive $25,639.

Guardian Trust Client Manager Gary Anderson, who manages the Marion Green Estate, said his team is delighted to be able to administer the funds for such important work. “The funds will be a positive boost to both charities which work incredibly hard to provide community based services to those with intellectual disabilities”.

IHC was established 60 years ago by parents who believed their children were entitled to the same rights as all children. IHC advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability. It has previously used donations to fund school holiday camps, education, exercise and wellness programmes, and to purchase specialised equipment and property improvements for people with high and complex needs. With over 26,000 people living with intellectual disability, IHC is New Zealand’s largest provider of services, offering services from foster care and respite care to helping people move from education to employment.

IHC National Manager of Fundraising Lynn Fiebig said gifted donations mean that IHC can adopt long-term projects that will make real and positive changes in the lives of individuals and families. “We are extremely appreciative of this substantial gift. It enables us to make lasting significant progress”.

CCS Disability Action has an even longer track record of helping New Zealanders, having set out more than 70 years ago to help children affected by polio. Today, the charity works in partnership with disabled people and their families to ensure equality of opportunity, quality of life and an environment that enhances full community integration and participation.

CCS Disability Action Regional Manager David Mathews said, “We are extremely grateful to the Marion Green Estate for its generous donation. It will enable us to provide more services and support for those people with disabilities and make a real difference to their lives.”

As a leader in the charitable trust sector, Guardian Trust has managed trust and client grants to more than 530 charities over the past three years. Earlier this year, the Centre of Philanthropy was launched to provide a platform for private philanthropists to choose the best way to structure and target their giving by better understanding the options available. Guardian Trust is the trustee for more than 450 charitable trusts providing approximately $26 million of funding annually to benefit New Zealanders.