Hudson Gavin Martin is proud to have supported the Pindrop Foundation’s fundraising event, The Art of Hearing. The Pindrop Foundation is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for cochlear implants.
As part of this support, along with other sponsors, over $25,000 was raised at the Art of Hearing and Wine Wall fundraiser on 29 July and subsequent art purchases. Hosted at Gow Langsford Gallery the event was a joint fundraiser with the Pindrop Foundation and The Hearing House.
Elena Keith from the Pindrop Foundation said, “It was wonderful to see so much support and generosity on the night from our supporters and sponsors. The funds raised will help us to magically transform people’s lives by giving sound to profoundly deaf children and adults.”
Approximately 400,000 New Zealanders have hearing loss of some kind, and 4,000 of these could benefit from a cochlear implant. However, most hearing impaired New Zealanders are not aware that cochlear implants, also known as bionic ears, exist.
Cochlear implants cost $50,000 each. Fifty cochlear implants (20 adults and 30 children) are funded by the Government each year, with around 120 adults on the public waiting list.
“Having a cochlear implant is completely life changing. They allow you to re-connect with your family and friends and it touches every aspect of your life in a positive way. We want to make sure other children and adults can enjoy life the way I’ve been able to,” says Elena Keith, Pindrop Foundation PR and Fundraising Manager and recipient of a cochlear implant.
The Hearing House CEO, Mr Scott Johnston says, “Early intervention is critical, and intensive audiological and habilitation (auditory-verbal therapy) services are required for speech to become a reality.
“The Hearing House relies on charitable donations to provide its services to deaf children and adults, so we are always in need of community funding and support,” says Mr Scott.
Mark Gavin, from Hudson Gavin Martin, said, “We’ve been really impressed by what Pindrop is trying to achieve and its philosophy of enablement when it comes to adult deafness. We operate in the technology sector so for us it’s wonderful to see how the cochlear implants change people’s lives.”
For more information about the Pindrop Foundation please visit
www.pindrop.org.nz.