!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!see a grown man cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight I visited Cholmondeley (chumley) children’s home. I took a night off training. Justine took me over and I met with Mike Field (Eric hunter was there too). Mike sat us down and began to explain in a nut shell, the care given and a little about the kids in general. There are about 20 kids that come and go from time to time (respite care) and about 7 kids that are there, that will NEVER go back home again. There are many different stories and I couldn’t help but feel for every kid there. One way or another each kid has a story that makes the Cholmondeley story even more tremendous. I won’t use names, but Mike gave us some examples of the kid’s stories, from single moms with 6 kids that simple need some time off, to the tear jerking story that gave me goose bumps.... imagine this (but it's bloody real) a 6 year old blonde hair, blue eyed girl. 6 (yes six) years old. Taken into care, she had cigarette burns all over her arms, legs and body. Possibly abused in many different ways. Mike said he would introduce us to her. He left the room and led in this gorgeous little girl. Shy at first, he said to her to remember our names and to show us around the children’s “HOME”. Mike was crouching down beside her, I almost burst into tears. This little girl, shy and adorable had been totally and utterly used and abused, in ways that you cannot simply imagine. I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I had goose bumps on my arms.

This is not a story, it's not a TV programme, not an article in the paper. It’s REAL. She was right there in front of me, breathing, real and I just felt like saying “F$%K that’s just so unfair”. So if you ask yourself, why is Scotty doing this, or can I afford it, or how would my money help, even if your just thinking, “I get around to it”... then just imagine her standing in front of you now! A real little girl, blond hair, blue eyes. Abused with burns on her body. What would you give to help her? There are hundreds of stories like this. The 3 cups of coffee you give up for this, (30 if you can) will literally change lives.

Mike showed us the “clothing room”. A room filled with donated kids clothes. Most kids who arrive only have the clothes on their backs. When the kids leave they leave with clothes from that room. They may even leave with a tooth brush (many kids have no idea how to brush their own teeth!!!!!!!!!!). The one thing missing there is shoes. The kids need shoes! So in the next few weeks we will be embarking on the biggest 3-12year old shoe donation NZ has ever seen. We will be asking “everyone” that has kids, or friends with kids to give up ANY unwanted shoes and to drop these off at a few locations around ChCh, or we will even go pick them up.
Yesterday, I was doing a ride for the kids at Cholmondeley, now I'm doing for the kids I MET a Cholmondeley! So I am riding a thousand K’s! Big deal, you would ride 2000kms if you had the chance to visit this home.

Mike, you and the staff are amazing. How you do it, I have no idea. Possibly an almost thankless job at times... but mate, do me the favour of thanking EVERYONE there for me. In the short time I was there I was deeply touched. No one I know, who took the time to visit you and the kids there, would feel any different than I do.

Kids, I promise I’ll do everything I can to make this work for you!

www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/scottybrown
DONATE NOW! Please! And if you’re not touched, then I challenge you to come with me in 2 weeks, to see mike and the kid’s. That’s an official invite!



:)