Ryman Times New Zealand Edition - Spring 19

RY M A N T IM ES • S PRIN G 19 New partnership to tackle dementia Celebrating 20 years on the NZX Karakia marks the start of Havelock North

NEW ZEALAND EDITION

Record donation for the Stroke Foundation

CELEBRATING

20 years

ON THE NZX

A note from Gordy Kia Ora and welcome to your latest edition of the Ryman Times.

Happy 20th anniversary everyone! I’d like to say a huge thank you to our more than 14,000 shareholders for your support since we listed on the NZX. Thanks for your faith in us – your backing has been a huge factor in the success we’ve had in building communities and caring for thousands of people since 1999.

The $25 million we raised from the IPO gave us the impetus we needed to really get going.

Back then we had eight villages, worth $53 million, a little over 1,000 residents and 533 staff. Today we have 36 villages, 11,200 residents and 5,500 staff.

Over the past 20 years we have invested $3.7 billion in expanding our portfolio of villages. And we’ve repaid your support with more than $800 million in dividends.

Your investment has gone into creating a whole lot of communities that contribute an awful lot, and it has built one heck of a platform to cope with the huge demand for Ryman communities we see ahead.

If there’s a common theme in this edition – it’s the impact our residents have on the wider community.

In Rangiora they’re busy building rat and stoat traps for the Department of Conservation so we can contribute to a pest-free New Zealand. And make the grandkids happy!

In Birkenhead our residents are knitting up a storm for Plunket and for vulnerable people in the community.

And in New Plymouth our residents are working with young students to pass on their woodworking skills, and no doubt building strong relationships at the same time.

We’re doing our bit too. We raised a record amount for our charity partner the Stroke Foundation this year, and we’re delighted to be supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation in the year ahead.

We have also established a significant partnership with Alzheimers New Zealand to create a better understanding of dementia.

As to the future, you’ll see we’ve been busy in our newest communities at Hobsonville, Havelock North and Burwood East in Melbourne, building relations with Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Kahungunu and the Wadawurrung communities.

What a great start to spring!

Take care,

Gordon MacLeod Chief Executive

In this issue

Ryman Healthcare Ltd

New partnership to tackle dementia......................................................................................... 3 Celebrating 20 years on the NZX................................................................................................ 4 Sharing the Delight.................................................................................................................................6 Getting Burwood off to a flying start...........................................................................................7 Ryman residents declare war on pests with DoC ........................................................... 8 Ryman residents star in the Third Act .....................................................................................9 Spectacular art showcase.............................................................................................................. 10 Bert Sutcliffe knitters click clack their way to success................................................11 Ngaio Marsh arrives at Ngaio Marsh ........................................................................................12 Hobsonville site receives blessing .............................................................................................13 Karakia marks the start of Havelock North.........................................................................14 Ryman good sorts help out with New Horizons Aotearoa........................................15 Record donation for the Stroke Foundation ...................................................................... 16

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Front cover: Some memories from Ryman Healthcare's 20 years on the NZX. Ryman Times • 2

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New partnership to tackle dementia Alzheimers New Zealand and Ryman Healthcare have joined forces to increase awareness about dementia and fight the stigma attached to the condition, which affects more than 70,000 Kiwis.

Ryman will be Alzheimers New Zealand's lead partner for the next three years and an ally in the campaign to improve knowledge and understanding about dementia.

“Despite dementia being widespread within our communities and touching most families in some way, the condition is hugely misunderstood and feared,” said Alzheimers New Zealand chair Dr Ngaire Dixon.

“There is a tremendous amount of stigma associated with it. Many of us only see a person with dementia as someone who gets a diagnosis and is then told to ‘get their affairs in order’.

“We really must change the misconceptions about dementia

and that’s why this partnership with Ryman Healthcare is so important.”

Ryman has 841 dementia care beds in New Zealand and Victoria and has plans to build another 640.

Gordon MacLeod said he was delighted to be working with Alzheimers New Zealand.

“We really must change the misconceptions about dementia and that’s why this partnership with Ryman Healthcare is so important.”

“There are 70,000 New Zealanders battling dementia and the numbers are set to grow rapidly as the population ages.

“It takes a massive toll on sufferers and their families and we want to do all we can to help. Our team has a wealth of experience in dementia care and we want to

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use our resources to support Alzheimers New Zealand in its fight to improve knowledge and understanding of dementia.’’

As part of the agreement Ryman Healthcare has signed up to the dementia declaration and hundreds of staff have joined Alzheimers New Zealand’s Dementia Friends Campaign.

Ryman will disseminate latest research into the causes and treatment of dementia throughout its villages and give residents and team members the chance to participate in research programmes.

“This is a significant alliance for us, and we are really excited about what we can achieve,’’ Mr MacLeod said.

“We’re on the same team in this battle and we know it is only going to get tougher in the years ahead.’’

Pictured: Alzheimers New Zealand Chair Dr Ngaire Dixon.

Celebrating 20 years on the NZX Ryman Healthcare has celebrated a remarkable 20 years as a listed company with shareholders at its annual meeting at Evelyn Page Retirement Village in Auckland.

Ryman Chairman Dr David Kerr thanked shareholders for their loyal support, and said the best was yet to come.

Ryman listed in July 1999, raising NZ $25 million to fund its expansion into the North Island.

In the two decades since, Ryman has invested $3.7 billion in a portfolio of villages in New Zealand and in Victoria, creating homes for

more than 11,200 older people on both sides of the Tasman at 36 communities.

Ryman has also returned more than $800 million in dividends to shareholders, and Ryman shares are now worth more than 40 times their value at float.

Co-founders John Ryder and Kevin Hickman listed Ryman to provide the capital they needed to gear up for the enormous growth in the ageing population.

That boom is only just about to hit, and Ryman has a record pipeline of villages to develop.

“We were unloved when we listed, the offer was under-subscribed and almost didn’t happen,” Dr Kerr said.

Gordon MacLeod thanked the company’s residents for their support and trust.

“I believe we’ve been a success because we have never lost sight of what we were set up to do – provide the best of care for older people.”

Ryman’s latest surveys of independent residents and team members showed they were happier than ever. Investment in improving the experience of living

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in a Ryman village would continue, Gordy said.

Pay had been increased for all staff, and experienced nurses had received a substantial increase in the last financial year.

“We’ll also continue to invest in our people, in their pay and in their development, and in making sure they get home safe every day,” Gordon said.

“They’re the heart of our organisation and we want them to love the experience of working for Ryman.”

Pictured left: Ryman Chairman Dr David Kerr.

Pictured above right: Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Debbie McClure and Grey Power North Shore President Bill Rayner.

Pictured below right: Everyone enjoyed lunch after the presentation.

New village programme: • Brandon Park, Melbourne (Nellie Melba): Village and care centre open.

• Lynfield, Auckland (Murray Halberg): First residents in, village and care centre under construction.

• Devonport, Auckland (William Sanders): First residents in, village and care centre under construction.

• River Road, Hamilton (Linda Jones): First residents in, village and care centre under construction.

Planning and design phase: • Burwood East, Melbourne: Development approval received, earthworks under way.

• Geelong, Victoria: Development approval received, work under way.

• Lincoln Road, Auckland: Consent received, site works under way.

• Havelock North, Hawkes Bay: Consent received, early site works due to start.

• Hobsonville, Auckland: Consent received.

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• Aberfeldie, Victoria.

• Ocean Grove, Victoria.

• Mt Martha, Victoria.

• Ringwood East, Victoria.

• Mt Eliza, Victoria.

• Coburg, Victoria.

• Kohimarama, Auckland.

• Riccarton Park, Christchurch.

• Bishopspark/Park Terrace, Christchurch.

• Karori, Wellington.

• Newtown, Wellington.

Sharing the Delight A host of new initiatives to keep independent residents entertained and engaged is being trialled at four villages.

Ryman Delight is a seasonal programme of activities and events designed to encourage residents to try new things and be as active as possible. The trial villages are Charles Upham, Malvina Major, Logan Campbell and Weary Dunlop.

The project is the baby of Resident Experience Officer Rachel Garrard, who says the activities are designed around the five pillars of wellness.

These involve keeping an eye on general health and wellbeing, eating a nutritious diet, trying new ways to exercise and enjoy being active, creating social connections and activities to avoid loneliness and keeping your mind active.

The activities range from cooking classes to yoga, tai chi and line dancing.

“Delight is all about providing a range of activities and experiences that enhance our residents’ wellbeing.

We understand that each village is unique and one Delight programme does not fit all.

“Delight is all about providing a range of activities and experiences that enhance our residents’ wellbeing.”

“We ask the residents at each village what it is that they are interested in and then introduce new activities and experiences based on their interests.

You can improve your wellbeing by simply getting out and having some fun with like-minded people.’’

A village Concierge will be responsible for working with our residents to create their seasonal Delight programme.

The Concierge works Wednesday – Saturday afternoon and evening, ensuring our residents have

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more options for evening and weekend activities.

In addition to coordinating the Delight programme, they will also help arrange trips to the theatre, concerts or sporting events, as well as weekends away.

The Concierge will create a resident skill bank which will enable our residents to share their skills and knowledge with other residents, charity or community groups.

They will also ensure all new residents moving to the village have the opportunity to be buddied with a fellow resident with our Resident Host initiative.

The host will be a friendly welcoming face to new residents, helping them settle into village life by accompanying them to village activities and introducing them to other residents.

Pictured: Village Concierge Lizz Read.

Getting Burwood East off to a flying start Smoke slowly wafting into the still suburban sky has marked the official start of construction of Ryman’s new retirement village in Burwood East in Australia.

The traditional aboriginal ritual, led by senior cultural heritage officer for the Bunurong people, Shane Clarke, was followed by a ground breaking.

Ryman’s Regional Construction Manager Martyn Osborn said the Bunurong people were invited to perform the cleansing ritual and Welcome to Country because the company wanted to properly acknowledge the traditional owners of the land.

“We want to ensure that the project gets off on the right foot and acknowledging the Bunurong people and their connection to the land we’re building on is really important,” Martyn said.

“This is going to be the workplace for hundreds of people, then the home

for many more for years to come, so we want to make sure everything is done right.”

In New Zealand a traditional Maori blessing is performed at each of Ryman’s sites before construction begins.

The smoking ceremony, held in May, was attended by staff from Ryman’s development, sales, and community relations teams.

“We want to ensure that the project gets off on the right foot and acknowledging the Bunurong people and their connection to the land is really important.”

After the ceremony, Martyn and project manager for the Burwood East build, Tim Haworth, broke ground nearby.

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The village will include 114 aged care beds, 96 assisted living suites, and 174 independent apartments. It will be home to more than 400 people.

The project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2022.

The public meetings for the village were also well received, punctuated with several compelling testimonies from residents of Ryman’s Weary Dunlop and Nellie Melba villages.

Almost 200 people attended the two public meetings held at The Whitehorse Club not far from where the village is being built. Gordon MacLeod and Chief Sales and Marketing officer Debbie McClure led the meetings.

They also outlined Ryman’s 35-year history in retirement living and aged care, detailing every aspect of what life in a Ryman village offers.

Pictured: Wadawurrung representative Shane Clarke at the smoking ceremony.

Ryman residents declare war on pests with DoC Getting rid of stoats and rats at a conservation reserve filled with rare plants and fauna is a priority for Charles Upham village residents. They also have a plan to trap the pests.

Members of the village’s Men’s Club are excited to build the housings for traps used by the Department of Conservation (DoC).

By Christmas they want to have 36 traps on the Medbury Scientific Reserve. The trap mechanism is supplied by DoC, which is also leading the project.

Lynn Andrews is one of the men involved and has other village men on hand to build wooden tunnels for the traps. He will

make sure the production line for the traps is safe and efficient.

possums, and hedgehogs, to look after rare plants in the area.

“It's important for me to be able to tell my grandchildren - see what I’m doing! I have two of them and they are very much into conservation.”

The 55-hectare Medbury site is one of only five dryland reserves left in Canterbury, and it provides a historic snapshot of flora.

The men are keen to help clear the traps and make sure they are ready for other predators.

“We definitely want it to be an ongoing project, not just a one-off,” Sarah says.

Lynn says he was interested in building the traps after other conservation-minded men approached him with the idea.

He then approached the DoC community ranger Sarah Ensor with an offer to build some traps.

When asked how many predators and pests she would like to catch, Sarah says simply: “All of them.”

Sarah said that there is a need to trap stoats, rats,

community ranger Sarah Ensor and resident Lynn Andrews.

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Pictured: Charles Upham Village Manager Dee Kennedy, Village Concierge Lizz Read, DoC

Ryman residents star in the Third Act Nicola Pauling, Artistic Director of Voice Arts, is passionate about encouraging people to play, to connect and to create; to discover their voice and to tell their own stories. Often these are people who feel they no longer have a voice in the community.

Nicola cites new research on loneliness amongst older people as one of the catalysts for her establishing a unique programme. Using the tools of adaptive improvisation and applied theatre, the programme creates social connections and fosters emotional wellbeing.

The Third Act programme has been established as a pilot in Ryman Healthcare’s Wellington villages where groups of residents meet weekly to play, to perform, to share their stories and to connect with fellow residents.

This is a New Zealand first, creating a theatre collective consisting

solely of those over the age of 70.

It’s a joyful, playful place, where residents get to know each other and develop, with the opportunity to be courageous and step into new roles.

The groups start with a “check in” where participants can talk about their week and how they are, emotionally and physically.

“Our goal is to create an inter-generational space to perform on stage in front of the public.”

“Adaptive improvisation and applied theatre are developmental tools.

Everyone can be developed. It does not stop when we are 20 or 30.

“We are honouring the wisdom that comes with age. Acknowledging the stories, the experience and the wisdom that sits in the room with us, we play with these wonderful stories.

“Our goal is to create an intergenerational space to perform on stage in front of the public, potentially alongside teenagers. To create an incredible story and showcase it.”

Everything is resident led, so only those who want to share do, but it provides an intimate way to get to know other residents in a space that they don’t share elsewhere.

A core group of the residents are keen to proceed with this goal and have their production ready for the New Zealand Fringe Festival in Wellington early next year.

“It’s social connection,” says Nicola, “It provides depth to a relationship in a unique, deeply joyful and playful way.”

We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.

Nicola believes development is a life-long journey.

Pictured: Malvina Major Third Act participants act up with Nicola Pauling (right).

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Spectacular art showcase Art lovers were amazed at the incredible works of art displayed at Possum Bourne Retirement Village’s art showcase this year.

Not only were the works beautiful pieces of art, they were all the more extraordinary by the fact the artists used their mouths or feet to paint them.

One of the artists is Toni Leefe, whose grandparents Eddie and Joyce Fox have lived at the village for two years.

Toni was left a tetraplegic following a trampoline accident at the age of 14 and was introduced to the idea when a mouth painter did a demonstration at the spinal unit she went to for rehabilitation.

"To my surprise I was quite good and I decided to have

some lessons. I've been painting by mouth ever since."

landscapes but says she is trying to paint a few more people.

Toni joined a community art group and then decided to submit some paintings to the New Zealand branch of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association in Lichtenstein which led to her being accepted as a scholarship member.

"Doing people is super challenging and I wouldn't mind giving abstract a go too.”

“To my surprise I was quite good and I decided to have some lessons.”

As well as the usual Christmas cards, the organisation produces wrapping paper, calendars, placemats, bags and games.

Toni lives in Hamilton with her husband Paul and son Korban.

She has tended towards

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Toni thinks she may have inherited some of her artistic talent from her grandparents Eddie and Joyce.

The couple, who have two of Toni's artworks on display in their serviced apartment, used to run a pottery business with many of their original pieces still adorning the shelves and patio of their home.

To read more about MFPA you can find them on Facebook or their website www.mfpa.co.nz.

Pictured: Artist Toni Leefe with her grandparents Eddie and Joyce Fox.

Bert Sutcliffe knitters click clack their way to success Ryman’s recent partnership with the Peggy & Friends knitting network is already having amazing ripple effects at Bert Sutcliffe Retirement Village, which is also the first village to set up a group.

The group started in February, and now boasts 32 members, many of whom regularly meet in the village lounge on Thursday afternoons.

It’s a lovely, social occasion where everyone chats, knits or crochets together. It’s such a no-pressure environment, that residents come and go throughout the afternoon.

Max is the first to join the group and he has taken on the task of producing pom poms for the bobble hats. He has persuaded his wife Val to get involved too and the group has welcomed them into the fold.

Sue Harvey is the group’s convenor, a role she shares with Jill Muir, and the pair marvel at the group’s success.

“Lynn Dawson, who coordinates the Peggy & Friends network has been to visit us a couple of times and she has commented that we’re a particularly vibrant group,” says Sue proudly.

“To date we have delivered 452 items to our chosen charities, Plunket and Grandparents raising Grandchildren, who were delighted to receive them.”

The idea of the network is to encourage groups of knitters to make blankets for vulnerable children in their local community.

All you need to be able to do is knit a basic square – these can then be joined into strips to become blankets, or, for the more adventurous, they can become fish and chip jumpers or booties.

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Everyone gets a starter pack including a ball of yarn, bamboo knitting needles and the pattern.

One of the great things about the group is that you don’t need to be an experienced knitter to join.

Any novice is welcome to get involved and with so many knitters at Bert Sutcliffe there are plenty of people to ask if you get stuck.

“To date we have delivered 452 items to our chosen charities, Plunket and Grandparents raising Grandchildren, who were delighted to receive them,” says Sue. With the next pile of donations rapidly growing, and a healthy supply of donated yarn building up in the village’s activity room cupboard, this is a real Ryman success story, which shows no signs of slowing down.

Pictured: Bert Sutcliffe resident and one of the knitting group's convenors Jill Muir.

Ngaio Marsh arrives at Ngaio Marsh A wonderful portrait of Dame Ngaio Marsh was unveiled at the 20th anniversary of the Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village to the surprise and delight of residents and guests.

The portrait painted in 1956 by artist Leonard Mitchell was gifted to Ngaio Marsh residents to celebrate the village’s 20th anniversary.

The Papanui retirement village was named in honour of Dame Ngaio, the Christchurch detective fiction author, regarded as one of the ‘Queens of Crime’ in the 1930s.

Guest and historian Bruce Harding spoke to a packed village centre about Ngaio’s upbringing, travels and how she was also a leading theatrical influence in New Zealand.

young portrait painter, painted Dame Ngaio in the sitting room of her Cashmere home.

Gordon MacLeod said it was a great opportunity to celebrate Ngaio Marsh and keep the portrait in Christchurch.

“It’s a significant piece of New Zealand art and we were delighted to be able to secure it for the future at Ngaio Marsh village,’’ Gordon said.

“It’s a significant piece of New Zealand art and we were delighted to be able to secure it for the future at Ngaio Marsh village.”

Dame Ngaio published 32 detective novels between 1934 and 1982 and also built a career as a theatre director.

Gordon and Village Manager Anna Thomson said the event was also a chance to celebrate the residents of the village, including three ‘99ers’ or early residents – Helen Grofski, Margaret Swaney and Jeanette Leermakers.

Bruce also spoke about the composition of the painting.

In 1956, Leonard, a distinguished

Helen spoke to the audience of meeting then sales advisor Debbie McClure (now Chief Sales and

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Marketing Officer), and of how she watched the village grow with the gradual addition of buildings and facilities like the bowling green.

Then eyes switched to the unveiling,

by Gordon and Anna. There was a gasp from the crowd when they saw the magnificent work.

Residents, guests and members of the Ryman Christchurch team were then able to mix and mingle, examine some Ngaio Marsh memorabilia and most importantly get up close to the portrait.

Opened in August 1999, Ngaio Marsh was the largest retirement village of its kind in Christchurch and also featured an indoor swimming pool, hair and beauty salons and beautiful indoor and outdoor gardens.

The village was a runaway success and became the blueprint for other Ryman villages.

Pictured: Ngaio Marsh Sales Advisor Marie Kyle-Stevenson Village Manager Anna Thomson and Regional Manager Jenny Thiele.

Hobsonville site receives blessing Work on the new Hobsonville retirement village is set to begin following a blessing from local iwi, Te Kawerau ā Maki.

250 independent homes as well as a care centre with 120 resthome, hospital and dementia care beds, and 80 serviced apartments.

Te Kawerau ā Maki kaumātua George Taua performed a karakia to acknowledge the people who had gone before and to bless the workers who would be constructing the village, as well as those who would eventually live and work there.

The village will also include an indoor swimming pool, movie theatre, hair and beauty salons and a café.

Mr Taua said he was pleased to see the 4-hectare site would be used to support Waitemata’s tupuna.

The blessing was a way of ensuring the cultural safety of the people who work and reside at the village and to guarantee the mauri of the land was preserved.

The site will be developed into a retirement village, which will include

“We think it’s a great site and will be popular because it’s handy to a whole lot of amenities.”

Hobsonville is one of Auckland’s fastest growing areas and has a strong sense of community.

“Wherever we build, we find a lot of people come to us because they love the area and don’t want to leave.

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“We think it’s a great site and will be popular because it’s handy to a whole lot of amenities,” Corporate Affairs Manager David King said.

“Our next job is to find a name for the village. Ryman villages are named after respected local people, so we’d love to hear from anyone with any suggestions.”

The village is Ryman’s eleventh in the Auckland region.

Pictured: Te Kawerau ā Maki

kaumātua George Taua at the Hobsonville site during the karakia.

Karakia marks the start of Havelock North Work is set to begin on Ryman’s new Hawke's Bay village.

Ngāti Kahungunu Kaumātua Jerry Hapuku has blessed the new Havelock North site, clearing the way for work on Hawke's Bay's newest retirement village to begin.

Jerry joined the Ryman Healthcare team for a karakia in early August, acknowledging the ancestors of the area and calling on divine protection for the construction team building the new village.

“Our blessing acknowledges our tipuna but it’s also about calling for protection for the most important people of all now, the people who will be building this place. We want to make sure they are looked after,” said Jerry.

Project Manager Matt Smith said the construction team would number more than 300 when building was in full swing, and the aim was to get everyone home safe to their families each day.

“It means a huge amount to us to have this blessing. We couldn’t think of a better way to start the project,” he said.

The new $100 million village on Te Aute Rd will offer Havelock North residents a range of retirement living options as well as resthome, hospital and specialist dementia care. The site also has views across to Te Mata peak.

As well as creating construction jobs, the village will provide more than 100 long-term sustainable jobs for Hawke's Bay locals.

“We would love to name it in honour of a respected Hawke's Bay local who everyone can identify with.”

It will be Ryman’s 40th village.

The village will include a 90-bed care centre with resthome, hospital and dementia-level care. It will also include 78 serviced apartments,

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44 independent apartments and 103 townhouses.

Residents moving in will be able to choose a living option that suits them, and independent residents and their families will have the reassurance of knowing there is care on hand in case their health needs change in the future.

The village centre will include a heated indoor swimming pool, a library, a movie theatre, a café and a beauty salon. There will also be a bowling green for residents who are keen for a roll-up.

The Ryman team is also looking for naming suggestions for the village.

“We would love to name it in honour of a respected Hawke's Bay local who everyone can identify with,” said New Zealand Sales Manager, Bernadette Forsdyke.

Pictured: A traditional hongi was exchanged between Jerry Hapuku and Project Manager Matt Smith.

Ryman good sorts help out with New Horizons Aotearoa New Horizons Aotearoa is a collaborative initiative which runs a programme in Taranaki that sees year 7-10 students work with mentors on group building projects.

The idea was founded by Kere Ell who actively manages the kaupapa (programme). Various organisations are involved and oversee the mentors, manage the programme logistics and work with the schools involved.

This year, four volunteer mentors from Jean Sandel Retirement Village worked with local rangatahi (young people) to offer their guidance and knowledge.

This intergenerational interaction is invaluable to the students who have all

been chosen by their school as rangatahi who could benefit from mentoring.

New Horizons Aotearoa partnered with Red Cross to build benches for their buddy bench programme.

The benches are gifted to local schools to support student connection and reduce isolation.

They provide a safe place in the school grounds where students can sit if they like to talk to someone, or if they’re anxious, sad or lonely.

Jean Sandel’s mentors Peter, Ken, Doug and David have worked with students from Coastal Taranaki School building a bench, and donated their buddy bench

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to Rahotu School – a country school in South Taranaki.

Horizons has also been working alongside the Department of Conservation (DoC) and the Taranaki Maunga Project.

The rangatahi have been building pest eradication traps and the Jean Sandel group will soon be placing theirs in Egmont National Park.

In supporting them, our mentors have helped students develop a sense of responsibility and trust, they learned practical building and construction skills and they have learned about protecting their natural environment.

Pictured: The completed buddy bench constructed with the help of Jean Sandel' s mentors.

Record donation for the Stroke Foundation A record $473,000 donation to the Stroke Foundation will be used to make a difference to thousands of lives.

Residents and staff at our villages and offices, raised the money at hundreds of fundraising events during the past 12 months.

Ryman matches every dollar raised dollar for dollar, so the charity receives double the amount raised.

Stroke Foundation NZ Chief Executive Mark Vivian said the money meant that more New Zealanders than ever before could access free blood pressure checks.

We funded a Stroke van, which has travelled the length of New Zealand delivering 10,000 free blood pressure checks over the past eight months.

“About 1% of the people we’ve checked so far have had dangerously high blood

pressure, so it’s likely that we’ve saved lives already.

“What’s even better is that we’ve helped a whole lot more people to do things differently to manage their blood pressure and that will make a big difference to their lives.

“Everyone’s got behind the Stroke Foundation and it’s the most ever raised for a charity partner.”

“Having the funding and the van has allowed us to extend our blood pressure awareness work from one week in October each year, to all year round.”

In Melbourne, the Australian Stroke Foundation chief executive walked out of Weary Dunlop with a $14,000 novelty cheque tucked under her arm, thanks to the generosity of village residents and staff. Village Manager Kym Faulkner

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presented the cheque to Sharon McGowan at an event attended by residents at Weary Dunlop in July.

Gordon MacLeod said it was a record year for fundraising, taking the amount raised over the past 20 years to more than $3.6 million.

“Everyone’s got behind the Stroke Foundation and it’s the most ever raised for a charity partner. It’s been a huge success at raising awareness about the risks of stroke and has made a tangible difference to many lives.”

Gordon announced that the Breast Cancer Foundation has been chosen as our new charity partner in New Zealand and the National Breast Cancer Foundation would be supported in Australia.

Pictured: Gordon MacLeod with Stroke Foundation NZ

Chief Executive Mark Vivian.