Helping Our Most Vulnerable

by Martin Cooper on April 6, 2017

Whether as individuals or as a business we’re proud to be part of a North Shore Community that is keen to support deserving groups in need on a local and sometimes a national level. We have had the pleasure to be involved in some amazing events that our community have got behind to really make a difference! NZ Sculpture OnShore was one such event and Harcourts Cooper & Co are thrilled to have played our part in the $135,000 boost to the work NZ Women’s Refuge does in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Friends of Women’s Refuges Trust today announced its’ $135,000 donation to NZ Women’s Refuge from the proceeds of the NZ Sculpture OnShore exhibition. The donation will focus on supporting the programs of NZ Women’s Refuge and its’ mission to help prevent and stop domestic violence. “We’re proud of our commitment to NZ Women’s refuge and continue to provide funding to this worthy organization as it strives to address domestic violence which is one of the biggest challenges in our society today,” said Dorothy McHattie, Chair, Friends of Women’s Refuges Trust.

One in three women in Aotearoa experience some form of abuse within their relationship and last year, 16,507 women and children were supported by NZ Women’s Refuge. Through this donation, we will be supporting the vital programs of NZ Women’s Refuge that have a measureable impact on the lives of women and children who experience domestic violence.” The $135,000 donation to NZ Women’s Refuge will support women and children in emergency accommodation, and provide access to education and support services such as the 24 hour crisis line service and advocacy support. “We are exceptionally grateful for the ongoing support from Friends of Women’s Refuges Trust and NZ Sculpture OnShore. Thanks to their active support, we are able to provide a safe and supportive environment to help women and children experiencing domestic violence, making a huge difference to their lives,” said Dr. Ang Jury, CEO NZ Women’s Refuge.

Friends of Women’s Refuge Trust, was founded over 20 years ago by a group of women from Auckland’s North Shore. In 1996, the first NZ Sculpture OnShore exhibition was held in Genevieve and David Becroft’s garden on the shores of Lake Pupuke. Since then, over $1.6 million dollars has been raised for NZ Women’s Refuge. By continuing to provide support and donations this year, NZ Sculpture OnShore continues to be one of New Zealand’s leading charity arts events. All of this has been made possible through the continued support of their sponsors and supporters, including Hesketh Henry, Harcourts Cooper and Co and Fisher Funds.

NZ Sculpture OnShore is New Zealand’s largest and longest running outdoor sculpture exhibition in the country.

Since its inception in 1996, the event grew in popularity, and in 2004, moved to the spectacular Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve on Auckland’s North Shore. The exhibition features work from established and emerging artists, provides a unique snapshot of contemporary three dimensional art practice in New Zealand. All of the works exhibited at NZ Sculpture OnShore are for sale and proceeds from each exhibition are donated to Women’s Refuge. To date over $1.6 million has been donated to Women’s Refuge support the victims of domestic violence in New Zealand. NZ Sculpture OnShore Limited is wholly owned by Friends of Women’s Refuges Trust, and is very much a North Shore community initiative, staged with the help of over 300 volunteers.

Kevin Hill (Harcourts Cooper & Co), Martin Cooper (MD Harcourts Cooper & Co), Dr Ang Jury (CEO NZ Women’s Refuge),
Pennie Kennings (Friends Of Women’s Refuges Trust), Judy Bailey (Patron, Friends Of Women’s Refuge Trust)
Martin CooperHelping Our Most Vulnerable