Komatsu’s Live your Dream program gives recipients the chance to support a charity or organisation of their choice with a $10,000 donation. Komatsu New Zealand’s David Bainbridge has chosen to support an organisation that is very close to home.
Gumboot Friday is a New Zealand initiative created by I AM HOPE to provide free kids’ counselling. Each year, Kiwis are encouraged to raise awareness of mental health issues by wearing gumboots and walking around in them all day, with any money raised for the cause going directly back to fund youth counselling.
“I chose Gumboot Friday as I have donated in the past and know how critical it is that they get funding to help people in need, especially those suffering from mental health issues or impacted by suicide, which I have been. I know that every little bit of support counts in helping people through these difficult times,” David says.
“The founder of Gumboot Friday, Mike King, is an inspirational person, and I was lucky enough to spend a day with him as part of the Live you Dream donation. I got to see how much he and his staff put into the organisation, and how much work is involved to muster funding, so I was very glad to be able to contribute to that with my Live your Dream grant.
“I want to say thank you to Komatsu for their generosity. It was a real honour to be chosen to represent my workplace and support this amazing charity. This money will help save lives,” David says.
Gumboot Friday will be held on Friday 1 November this year. You can find out more here - https://www.gumbootfriday.org.nz/