The Cuthbert Funds

WGWG has approximately $120,000 remaining from the Peter Cuthbert bequest. This fund has been critical to help us employ Brendan (and Hanna) to run Schools Out. It has also provided a lot of assistance to help men with HIV. This month we granted $800 to help a Wellingtonian with HIV pay bills and keep his business on track.

Peter Cuthbert passed away in 1988. He was one of the very first New Zealanders to contract HIV back in 1984. Bill spoke at Peter’s funeral. Here’s an extract from Bill’s speech:

"This was a man who was a supporter, a proper up of people, and a man who served his community. He was a man who gave a great deal. We have lost someone very special."

It’s a credit to Peter’s generosity that he is still supporting the gay and lesbian community today, over 20 years later.

Cuthert Assistance in June

In June WGWG used the Cuthbert Funds to help people pay for travel costs when they come from outside Wellington to receive counseling from the AIDS Foundation.

The Peter Cuthbert Trust remains available to respond to the welfare needs of people with HIV /AIDs when other agencies do not.

Helene talks about the Cuthbert Funds

This month Helene Garland, a Social Worker at the Wellington Hospital, gave a presentation to WGWG regarding the value of Peter Cuthbert Trust gifts that have been granted to the clients she works with. Helene works with clients with HIV/AIDS and reported that she works with approximately 45 clients even though her hours in this role are limited to 10 hours a week. Helene spoke of the multitude of issues that can occur following a diagnosis of HIV / AIDS including disruptions in work and family relationships. She also reported that at times her clients are also coping with other health issues such as hepatitis or cardio-vascular disease.

Helene spoke of the isolation, poor housing and financial issues that some of her clients experience, as well as the physical issues such as fatigue, depression and opportunistic infections. She also talked of the limited assistance that is available through agencies such as WINZ. She sometimes attends WINZ visits and noted that often when grants are made for urgent assistance, these are made recoverable which means that deductions are made from their benefits until the grant is repaid. This is often unaffordable for people on benefits to repay. Helene also talked about confidentiality issues her clients face as some do not feel able to approach agencies.

Helene detailed all the contributions her clients had received from the Trust and how these gifts had helped with essential items such as transport, housing, furniture, childcare or healthcare when non-residents. She spoke of the value of the trust and the delight her clients experienced when their applications were approved.

We thank Helene for her presentation and for her work with her clients and we greatly appreciate the relationship she has built with us for the welfare of people with HIV/AIDs.