Around the time Samantha Key (a member of BNI Pontefract in England) was planning a parachute jump to raise funds for Dogs for the Disabled in the UK, she read about Mobility Dogs here in New Zealand on the BNI Blog – and it wasn’t long before she was winging her way to our shores.
“My visit to New Zealand was prompted by several factors, the first being meeting Mobility Dogs Manager, Helen Spence, online through the BNI network and our combined interest in Mobility Dogs. The second was I was in need of a holiday having not been away properly for some time now. The third was probably that I have always wanted to visit New Zealand and this gave me the ideal opportunity!”
In addition to her interest in dogs for the disabled, Samantha is a photographer and during her visit here she was able to visit BNI Parnell (where Helen is a member – there’s even a Mobility Puppy named Parnell after the chapter), where she also met commercial photographer Grant Southam.
“The link with Grant was generated by Helen. I am pretty new to BNI having only joined in March this year and wanted some hints as to how to do a good 60 seconds. When Grant found out I was coming to visit he kindly offered to take me on a shoot.
“However, when we met we got on really well and I ended up spending two days with him being his assistant. I really enjoyed talking ‘shop’ with Grant and learning more about how he had developed the business. His work has really inspired me, and I have gained a new friend in the process which is always good.
“Grant gave me a grapefruit from his garden and I took this on my tour of the south island. Now I am in the process of putting together an album documenting the adventures of “Grant the Grapefruit”! Photographing him became quite an obsession for the whole trek group,” says Samantha.
Of her visit to BNI Parnell, Samantha says she found the group friendly, welcoming and much more relaxed than the groups she has seen in the UK.
“I enjoyed the fresh approach and the experience. I would like the thank the whole chapter for making me feel so welcome. I love the New Zealand way of life and felt like I had fitted in perfectly. I even asked Helen how I could emigrate to New Zealand!”
Samantha says highlights were trekking the coastline in the South Island and making new friends in the North Island!
“Mobility Dog, Chance, (also a member of BNI Parnell) was my official tour guide. Every day we went somewhere different and Chance got so much attention. We visited the Thermal Village in Rotoura, Rainbow Springs Kiwi Sanctuary and went on a Kiwi Adventure where the Kiwi’s were more interested in Chance than he was in them. Chance showed me cafes and restaurants where he used his VIP status to access all areas and privileges.
“I absolutely loved doing the parachute jump for the UK Dogs for the Disabled. It took me 5 attempts to complete the jump as the British weather kept hampering me, but when I did it, it was amazing. I raised nearly £500 for the charity!”
Pictured: Samantha and Chance
