Trust to Help Young People Launched

By Frank Neill

A new trust which will provide life changing outdoor experience for young people held a very

successful launch on 29 October.

The Madoc Benfell Memorial Trust has been set up by Antionette and Mike Benfell, who own and run the Animal Medical Centre in Johnsonville, and have done for the last 18 years.

Two and a half years ago they tragically lost the youngest of their three children, Madoc.

The new trust has been set up in Madoc’s memory.

The community “completely blew us away with their support” of the trust’s launch, Antionette

says.

“Between ticket sales, honey and bracelet sales (available on our website,

www.madocbenfellmemorialtrust.nz/shop) and our auction on the night we raised $13,000.

“We were well supported, exceeding our initial goal of 100 tickets.”

The trust is “so grateful to local business owners such as Eve Southan from Life in Motion, William Yip from the Collective, and both New World Churton Park and Newlands for their generosity gifting items for auction.

“Our debut auctioneers, Finlay Benfell and Xavier Overton were well coached by Linda from The Collective. They did a fine job.

“Items such as an All Black jersey signed by Christian Cullen and a case of wine from Alexander Vineyard in Martinborough were particularly popular items.

“La Bella Italia in true style proved welcoming hosts, [and the] the food [was] outstanding.”

The dinner was so successful “it’s an event we'd love to make a regular part of our fundraising calendar,” Antionette says.

“The Madoc Benfell Memorial Trust was born from loss and grief,” the trust website says.

“Our beloved son, Madoc, passed away on 26th March 2021 - aged 13 years.

“No other human on earth will ever replicate his humour, warmth, kindness, humble nature and his enthusiasm for a good adventure.

“Nestled amongst nature, adventuring in the great outdoors was Madoc’s happy place.

“He simply came alive when he was moving. No hesitation and certainly no fear.

“His enthusiasm [was] so infectious. It would never take long for family and friends to join in his joy.

“From our deep sadness, let us infuse hope in the young people across Wellington.”

Now that it is launched the trust will connect with schools across the greater Wellington region to provide opportunities for young people to attend outdoor experiences across New Zealand.

These include, but are not limited to, school camps, Outward Bound, The Spirit of Adventure and the Hillary Outdoor Education Centre Tongariro.

“We are quite convinced that we can help our kids by getting them outside,” Antionette says.

“We will offer opportunites to kids to give them a bit of joy and hope and make them realise that they are wonderfully capable.

“We have got big goals. They are real goals and they will happen,” she says.