The Crusaders are thrilled the 2024 Hall of Fame charity lunch will raise money for Youth Hub Christchurch.
More than 700 people will gather at Te Pae Christchurch on Friday 24 May for the annual event celebrating and recognising those who achieved greatness or contributed significantly to the Crusaders club and legacy.
It’s one of the signature event of the year for the Crusade with Heart Foundation, set up in 2022 to ensure the Crusaders strive to have an ever-increasing positive impact on the community we are a part of.
So what is Youth Hub Christchurch?
The Youth Hub Trust is constructing New Zealand’s first purpose-built Youth Hub, complete with supported housing facilities at 109 Salisbury Street in central Christchurch. It’ll provide everything our young people need to maintain and improve their mental health – from health and support services to recreation and creativity.
They want to “enable all young people in Ōtautahi the opportunity to lead healthy, safe and valued lives, fulfilling their potential and vibrantly contributing to their community”.
Dame Sue Bagshaw is chairperson of Youth Hub Trust, set up to design, build and run Youth Hub Christchurch. She’s a youth health doctor, who has been a champion of youth health in Christchurch for decades, focused on removing barriers and creating one-stop-shops for young people to access a wide range of health and wellbeing services.
“We want the Youth Hub to be a place where all young people can come to meet others, gain confidence and overcome loneliness which is a key factor in the declining rates of youth mental health and wellbeing,” Bagshaw said.
“Youth Hub Christchurch will help Christchurch youth, especially those who have had a rough start in life, break the intergenerational cycle of adversity and give them the skills, support and confidence they need to meet their potential.”
Stage One of the project includes a supported housing wing with 23 bedrooms, a wrap-around services block where a variety of youth providers can work from and an outdoor activities courtyard. Construction of Stage One is nearing completion, and the Hub is expected to open gradually from the end of 2024.
Funds raised from the 2024 Crusaders Hall of Fame will go towards completing Stage One, including the extensive furniture and equipment fit out required at the new complex.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting Youth Hub Christchurch at this year’s Hall of Fame,” said Colin Mansbridge, Crusaders CEO.
“This event is not only about celebrating the best of us and cementing their legacy in our Hall of Fame – it’s about leveraging our platform, our alumni and our commercial network to raise funds for our community.”
