Richie Clapham Memorial Supporting Young People

Richie died of brain cancer aged 31 leaving behind a 2 month old baby, wife, close family and a legacy of love and support for so many.

It's these other friends and young people who have kicked this challenge off by wanting to do a 260 mile bike ride in his honour back in his birthplace of the UK.

Through his life he had many challenges, one of which was Dyslexia, which he battled hard with never allowing it to hold him back. He came to NZ as a tutor at Dilworth School in 1998, helping young people with struggles of their own. He learnt ways to overcome the trials of being made to feel different by society. Those strengths gave him an incredible gift with other young people and an ability to communicate with others through hard times. He would support and bring them out of themselves, encourage them to push back at life and become a success.

He often did this through his love of the outdoors and dogs.

So, although not your traditional charity or sponsorship field his mum and dad wanted to do something that would be close to his heart. Something that just might make a difference for one person, who might go on to help others too believe in themselves.

Funding will be used for:

1)

They have kindly offered to sponsor a young person by giving the gift of a Registered Labrador Puppy, bred from Champions. They will help guide and train that person in the care of the dog. Teach them the value of having something else to focus on and be responsible for, in the hope it will distract from their hardship, no matter what that may be. Sponsorship for Dog Food and Vet Support will be sought and it is hoped to raise enough funds to get a

2)

Get a trailer kitted out with equipment for ongoing use for NZGTA for travel around NZ to spread the idea to others.