2009 Trip to USA

After months and months of planning and preparation, the day had finally arrived. On a fine October day we all set off from Christchurch Airport, what fun, what an experience this was going to be for 24 fantastic Koru Care children. So many memories, where do we begin?

We had a fabulous send off at Christchurch Airport, where it was good bye from Jason Gunn and the families.  In Auckland there was time for lots of yummy food and a chance to get to know room mates. Then it was time to board the 777 to Los Angeles.  The children enjoyed having their own entertainment system and were very tired by the time they arrived in Los Angeles. It was great when all our bright green bags, wheelchairs, and everything else we had taken with us, turned up on the conveyor belt. Once we had all gathered our luggage and cleared US customs, it was time to board the bus for San Diego. Before very long, most of the group had nodded off to sleep for the 2 hour journey.

Day 2 saw us at Sea World. Sharks, dolphins, mantarays and orca's were all on display. There was something for everyone and it was a fantastic day. The next day we went to the San Diego Zoo. There was so much to see, like chimpanzees, orangatans and Panda bears. Slithery snakes were a also a hit. Later that evening, we had a yummy chicken dinner at a fantastic restaurant called Hob Nob Hill.

Shopping was not forgotten and the following day we spent some time at the San Ysidro outlet mall close to the Mexican Border.  Most of the children bought at least one pair of shoes, and lots and lots of other goodies too. Gap, Sketchers, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Guess, Old Navy, Adidas, Tillys, Pacsun, yes the brands were all there! On our last day in San Diego we visited the California Highway Patrol (CHIPS). The children became CHIPS officers for the day and got to try out the bikes, handcuffs and the patrol cars. It was time to say goodbye to San Diego and we were off to Los Angeles to the happiest kingdom of them all.

The Knotts Berry Resort hotel was all decorated up for Halloween. We had time to unpack and have a swim, then it was time to get ready for the Pirates Dinner Show. ARGHHH, SHIVER ME TIMBERS, what a spectacle, sword fights, walking the plank and lots of drama, song and dance. Some of the Koru Care children went up on stage as part of the show to restore order! We also got to meet the cast after the show ... it was a night to remember. AAARRRGHHH!!!

We had 3 days in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and 1 day at California Adventureland, what fun that was. Mickey and Minnie were in Disneyland of course, and so too were all the other favourite characters. Indiana Jones was a favourite ride, as was the roller coaster in the dark ... Space Mountain, then there was Thunder Mountain and the Bob Sleds and Pirates of the Carribean (AARRGGGHHHH), then there was Autopia (children got their own drivers licence), Haunted House and Splash Mountain,... the list is endless.

There were shows and parades, and lots and lots of rides. There were rides and adventures for everyone. Many of the children enjoyed rides on Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, the Tea Cups, the Wind in the Willows, Dumbo and Roger Rabbit’s Wild ride too. They also enjoyed meeting the Disney Characters Minnie and Mickey, Pooh and Tigger and the Princesses. We had Disneyland Fireworks one evening and enjoyed a delicious meal at the Rain Forest Cafe.

There was plenty of action at California Adventureland with speedy rides and roller coasters, in particular 'California Screaming', 'Tower of Terror', 'Maliboomer' and Mulholland Madness. There were 4D movies such as a Bugs Life and getting wet on the Bearfoot Rapids. Soaring over California is a must everyone.

Knotts Berry Farm was roller coaster heaven. The Silver Bullet, Accellerator, The Perilous Plunge, The Revolution and the Supreme Scream were firm favourites amongst the ‘big riders’. The White Water Rapids and Camp Snoopy were amongst the favourites for those not partaking in the really big rides.

We went to an Ice Hockey game to watch the Los Angeles Kings play the Minnesota Wilds. The Kings won,YEAH and we got to meet up with one of the Kings players, Jarret Stoll who had organised the box seats for us. As you can imagine there were lots of photos taken and lots of autographs signed. Special thanks to Jarret for spending time with us, we did so appreciate it, it was a fantastic night.

One evening the older Koru Kids went to the Halloween Haunt at Knotts Berry Farm, with a group of carers. The younger children and those who did not want to do the Haunt went to ‘Build a Bear’. What a fantastic time both groups had. The tales from the Haunt were ghostly and spooooooky! And the build a bear evening was a real treat too.

Universal Studios was another fun day out for everyone, there was so much to see and do, there was the Back Lot tour, the Simpsons ride, the Revenge of the Mummy, the Water World Show, Jurassic Park, the Terminator, Shrek 4D, and on and on. After a full on day we all went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.

On the last day of our trip we had dinner with the Disney Characters. Aladdin and Jasmine, Chip and Dale, Goofy and Pluto, Mickey and Minnie they were all there, and it was a great opportunity for the children to get their last autographs and photos with the characters and of course to say goodbye to them.

Throughout the trip the weather was beautiful and there was just so much to see and do each day. The childrens smiles, memories and experiences were everlasting. This is what Koru Care Christchurch is all about.

The children of the 2009 Disneyland trip would like to say a very big thank you to all the Koru Care Christchurch supporters and sponsors, you helped to give them a fantastic experience and make their dreams come true.

2009 Auction Summary

This year we had an exciting new venue, the Air Force Museum Wigram. A fantastic night was had by all with over $175,000 raised on the night.
Jason Gunn and Dave Fitzgerald from Classic Hits 97.7FM were our amazing hosts for the Star Wars themed evening. Auctioneer extraordinaire, Phil McGoldrick and his team were hitting the hammer in style with the huge range of items in the main auction.
530 people enjoyed entertainment from Those 3 and a special guest performance from Anika Moa had everyone dancing the night away.
Among the guests in attendance were Jayne Kiely, TV1's Tamati Coffey and Koru Care Christchurch's Patron Andy Ellis. Ruben Wiki heated things up when he literally auctioned the shirt of his back!
There was a $16,400 cheque presentation on the night to Koru Care from Andy Ellis and Danny Kamo of John Marsh Landscape Architects.

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August 29, 2010

DC3 Flight

On the 27th September some very excited Koru Care children and their parents went on a special Koru Care DC3 flight around Christchurch. Our special guests on the flight were our patron Andy Ellis, and Casely Laulala and Tii Paulo. Richie McCaw also made a surprise visit. The children got some very special photos indeed, they also were given model planes from Air New Zealand, some yummy Koru Care cupcakes and the day finished with fish and chips and fizz. Our very Special thanks to all the DC3 team, they were fantastic, and they made the day possible.

Below are some photographs of the day!