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Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand cricket wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched a fundraising auction in support of I Am Hope’s youth mental health work. The centrepiece is a one-of-a-kind exhibit featuring the signatures of New Zealand test wicketkeepers since Ken Wadsworth’s passing in 1976. Proceeds will help I Am Hope deliver free counselling for under-25s and expand school-based programmes that normalise tough emotions and teach practical ways to ask for help. Ken Wadsworth played 33 consecutive test matches, with 96 dismissals, and scored more than 1000 runs. He struck the winning runs in New Zealand’s first-ever test victory over Australia at Lancaster Park in 1974 and was the first wicketkeeper to score a one-day international century. He died in Nelson in August 1976, aged 29. Beyond the boundary, Ken consistently gave back to young people. After returning from tours he would visit schools, donating his gear and, more importantly, his time. He spoke about opening an academy in Nelson so emerging players had a place to hone their skills. That spirit of service to youth is exactly what the fundraiser seeks to carry forward, says Jayna. She says the project is about giving back, echoing the support her family received after her father’s death. “After dad’s passing, the Ken Wadsworth Testimonial Fund was set up to help mum and me. “People gave what they could – kids donated pocket money; teams held fundraisers. Reading about that kindness later in life stayed with me. Now I want to give back, the way people gave so generously to me.” Mike King, founder of I Am Hope, says the fundraiser turns sporting history into practical help for young people. “Ken gave New Zealand a lot to cheer for; Jayna is turning that legacy into action. Every dollar from this auction becomes time in a room with a counsellor or a straight-talking session in a school. “That’s how you change the trajectory of a young life – one honest conversation at a time.” The auction’s signed-exhibit theme reflects the continuity and resilience of New Zealand wicketkeeping across generations, linking a father’s legacy with a daughter’s commitment to the well-being of today’s young New Zealanders. Auction details and bidding information is at: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/sports/sports-memorabilia/cricket/listing/5614566319 Home of hope Fowler Homes, together with more than 50 supplier partners, has unveiled Hope Home 2.0 at 11 Conifer Lane on Queenstown Hill in the South Island. Unlike the inaugural standalone build, this year’s project is a three-storey terrace home and the middle unit in a row of three. Every dollar of sale profit will go directly to I Am Hope to support youth mental health across Aotearoa. The Hope Home idea was sparked by a 2022 interview with Mike King on The Rock radio station’s Morning Rumble. That first Queenstown build culminated in a live auction that raised $404,000 for I Am Hope. Hope Home 2.0 keeps the momentum going with a design that fits the Queenstown Hill setting: a modern, work-stay-play home with elevated views over Lake Wakatipu and a clear purpose – turning a property sale into counselling sessions and school conversations that help young people earlier. King says the generosity behind the second build is overwhelming. “This house is proof that when Kiwis roll up their sleeves, magic happens. You’ve taken a middle terrace on Queenstown Hill and turned it into a lifeline for our kids. “From the first screw to the last coat of paint, every contribution says to a young person, ‘you matter, and help is here’. “I’m humbled beyond words by Fowler Homes and every tradie, supplier and sponsor who made this real,” says King. “You haven’t just built a home – you’ve built time in a room with a counsellor, and you’ve built the honest kōrero in schools that can change a life’s direction.” Jason McGirr, managing director of Fowler Homes, thanks the trades, suppliers and partners who brought the Conifer Lane build to life. “This home stands as a testament to the generosity of local trades and suppliers. “Their expertise, materials and time have made the Conifer Lane build possible and will help fund counselling for young Kiwis. “Fowler Homes is grateful for the support and is committed to delivering a home for I Am Hope every two years,” says McGirr. Government backs its funding Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says he’s pleased to celebrate Gumboot Friday today, “a fantastic initiative” helping thousands of young people access free mental health support faster. “In July, I announced that in the first 12 months of Government funding, Gumboot Friday delivered more than 30,000 free counselling sessions, supporting over 10,000 young New Zealanders who might not otherwise had timely access to support. “I’m pleased to update that since then, Gumboot Friday has delivered over 10,700 free counselling sessions and supported a further 4350 young people. “This means that since Government funding began, over 40,700 sessions have been delivered, supporting more than 14,350 young New Zealanders,” Doocey says. “In July, I also announced that more than 700 qualified counsellors were registered on the Gumboot Friday platform, an increase of 175.” They’ve since scaled up even further, with another 80 counsellors joining, bringing the total to 810, Doocey says. “This gives young people more choice in who they see and ensures that when someone reaches out, they’re seen when and where they need it. “This is exactly why Gumboot Friday received Government funding. They’ve shown their capability to keep scaling up nationwide so even more young people can get the support they need. “There aren’t many organisations that can move our young people off waitlists and into counselling often within just a few days. “Mental health concerns are one of the biggest issues facing young New Zealanders. I want to thank the team at I Am Hope, who work tirelessly to give our young people the support they need. “This powerful partnership between Government and a grassroots organisation is making a real difference, supporting the Government’s mental health plan for faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response.” Last year, the Government committed $24 million over four years to Gumboot Friday under the National–New Zealand First coalition agreement to scale up support for young people across the country.
