Raising funds for the Tourette's Association NZ

Those that know me well understand that I am currently training to compete a full Ironman race in March 2021.

What is a Full Ironman race, it consists of a single day of a swim of 3.9Km, bike 180.2Km, and then finish with a 42.2K run. Most Ironman races allow you 17 hours to complete all three parts of the race. Usually, the race begins at 7 a.m. You are expected to finish the swim in 2 hours and 20 minutes; the bike ride done by 5:30 p.m.; and the marathon completed by midnight.

My ambition is to complete this race and raise awareness of The Tourette’s Association of New Zealand. Why I am reaching out, it is to ask you for a donation using my “give a little” page. If your donation is significant enough, I will give you the opportunity to have your company logo on my race suit that I will be wearing for the entire race day. I will need your company’s logo and commitment please before the end of January to get it off to the print shop in time.

What is the donation money going towards?

Since 2016 the association has been running Camp TWITCH, where children and young persons with Tourette’s and their families spend a week making new friends, having amazing fun doing some awesome activities in an environment where they can be themselves, without having to worry about those less understanding members of society who stare and talk. The camps moto is ‘tic loud, tic proud’. Whilst the camp is partially subsidized for families, there are still those who cannot afford to go. With your donation is will go towards a family or single child that couldn’t offered to make this trip. Please give to that single child or parent to join them.

The Tourette’s Association of New Zealand is a charity and as such does not receive any government funding, relying on donations, community grants and fundraising to support the fantastic work in does with people in our communities with Tourette’s.

For more information visit their website – tourettes.org.nz https://tourettes.org.nz/attend-camp-twitch/

I understand it’s been a hard year for most companies, and any little donation will help a child in desperate need to get camp twitch.

WHAT IS TOURETTE SYNDROME?

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is characterized by vocal and motor tics that range from mild to extreme in severity. Individuals can have singular tics, however both vocal and motor tics have to have been present for at least a year for an individual to be diagnosed with TS.

DOES EVERYONE WHO HAS TS SWEAR?

No. Only a small percentage of those diagnosed with TS have coprolalia – an extreme vocal tic that causes the person to repeat inappropriate words.

WHAT CAUSES TS?

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a genetic, neurological disorder that occurs during childhood. Not all children that inherit the TS gene display the traits that are associated with the disorder. Boys more commonly inherit the gene associated with TS. The ratio of girls vs. boys being diagnosed with TS is 1:4.

HOW MANY CHILDREN IN NEW ZEALAND ARE DIAGNOSED WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME?

The New Zealand Organization for Rare Disorders endorses the Australian Tourette Syndrome Association statistics of 1:1000 children having TS. Not all of those with TS will be diagnosed with TS due to the mild nature of their symptoms.

Thank you for your support and i look forward to your contribution.