Join us for a fun-filled morning hosted by nook NZ and Messy Mates to raise funds for a great cause. With crafts, play stations, and more, it’s all about community, connection, and a good time for a good reason.
PIPS has been quietly working away in Christchurch for 50 years, being the backbone for local whānau when things get tough. We’re talking baby clothes, cots, car seats, and that all-important emotional support when you’re just trying to figure out how to keep tiny humans alive and happy.
This year alone? They’ve supported over 1300 families and 3500 kids. That’s a lot of nappies, sleepless nights, and “am I doing this right?” moments they’ve helped families through. Their Bumps & Bubs events have been such a lifeline for new parents too, offering that precious connection and support when you’re feeling a bit lost in the newborn fog.
But after half a century of being there for us, PIPS needs us to be there for them. They’ve already reached their $25,000 goal faster than expected, which is amazing. Now, every extra dollar will help give them more breathing room and strengthen their ability to support the families who count on them.
So, we’re doing something about it.
Play for PIPS: Fun for a Great Cause
We’ve teamed up with our mates at Messy Mates to host “Play for PIPS” and we’re pretty excited about it! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 12, 9:30am to 12:30pm at The Hub Hornby (the empty shop lot opposite ASB Bank).
It’s completely drop-in, so no stress about booking or being anywhere at a specific time. Just rock up when it works for you and the kids, stay as long as you like. Entry is by koha (cash is perfect if you’ve got it), and every single cent goes straight to PIPS.
When: Saturday, July 12, 9:30am-12:30pm
Where: The Hub Hornby (empty shop lot opposite ASB Bank)
Entry: By koha (cash preferred)
Format: Drop-in event, no booking needed
What’s On: All the Good Stuff
We’ve lined up some absolute winners for the day. Messy Mates will be doing their thing with messy play (yes, the kids will get gloriously grubby and love every second). There’s free face painting by a real-life princess from Crowntastic Events, because who doesn’t want to be transformed into their favourite character?
Unic Picnic & Events are setting up their gorgeous picnic tables so you can actually sit down and maybe even have a coffee while the kids play. The Make Company will be providing plenty of free crafts so the little ones can create something special to take home and stick on the fridge.
Kids can also climb, crawl and balance on a Pikler triangle and ramp from Play Systems, or dive into a ball pit and bounce around on hoppers from Rug Rats Soft Play Hire.
We’ve got more activities still being confirmed, so expect plenty to keep everyone entertained for the full three hours.
The Raffle: Seriously Amazing Prizes
Okay, let’s talk about this raffle because wow. We’ve managed to pull together some absolutely incredible prizes that’ll make you want to buy tickets even if you can’t make it on the day.
Raffle tickets are $5 each, available at the door, or you can sort it out in advance through our Google form HERE. Just pop in your details and we’ll send you the bank account info and your ticket numbers (to keep things simple, we’ll go in numerical order).
🥇 First Prize
- Edwards & Co Black Otto Pram
- Orana Wildlife Park Family Pass – 2 adults + 3 kids (under 5s free)
- Black Cat Cruises Family Pass – Akaroa Nature Cruise for 2 adults + 3 kids
- Launch Pad Trampoline Park Birthday Party Package – Entry for 10 jumpers
- Photography session with Photography With Fran
- Graco Contender Slim Carseat from Baby on the Move North
- Four-hour party hire from Little Rides
- $50 Pak’nSave voucher
- 1 x pair of toddler & infant shoes from My School Shoes
- Two-hour support session from Dew Drops Postpartum
- The Cosmetic Clinic Hornby – 2 x microdermabrasion sessions
- A Term pass to Baby & Toddler Sense Christchurch
- 1 x Tiny Town Play Pass (5 sessions)
🥈 Second Prize
- Milazo Kids Scooter
- 5 Class Passes to Messy Mates
- $100 Rugrats Soft Play discount voucher
- 1 x pair of toddler & infant shoes from My School Shoes
- Little Robbins Activity Story Sack
- Little Beauty Bar voucher + hand cream & brow wand
- The Cosmetic Clinic Hornby – 2 x microdermabrasion sessions
- $50 Shailee’s Hand Painted Shoes voucher
- 1 x Kidoodle Silicone Drawing Mat
- 4 x MoveX Trampoline Park entry vouchers
🥉 Third Prize
- 1 Month Membership to +64 Fitness
- Unic Picnic & Events discount vouchers – $50 off (<12 guests), $100 off (12+)
- $20 Hub Hornby voucher
- Michael Hill Jewellery Cleaning Kit
- Acquisitions Gift Set – includes candle, soap & hand cream
- Cute plushies from Paper Plus
- $20 Cheeky Sparrow Café voucher
- 1 x pair of toddler & infant shoes from My School Shoes
- The Cosmetic Clinic Hornby – 1 x microdermabrasion session
How You Can Help (Even If You Can’t Make It)
Look, we get it. Saturday mornings can be chaos and not everyone can make it to events. But there are heaps of ways you can still support PIPS:
Grab raffle tickets online even if you can’t be there on the day. Share this post with your friends, family, playgroup, anyone who might be able to help. Make a direct donation if you can. Even just spreading the word helps more than you know.
Every dollar, every share, every conversation matters. PIPS has been there for thousands of families during their most vulnerable times, offering not just stuff but genuine care and support. Now it’s our turn to be there for them.
Why This Matters So Much
This isn’t just about keeping a charity open. It’s about making sure that when families are struggling, when new parents are overwhelmed, when kids need basic essentials, there’s somewhere safe and supportive to turn.
PIPS has been doing this work for 50 years. They’ve seen generations of families through tough times. They know what it’s like to need help and they provide it without judgment, with kindness, and with genuine care. If we all chip in, even in small ways, we can make sure they’re here for another 50 years.
So, what do you say? Ready to Play for PIPS with us on July 12th? We’ll see you there, and together we’ll make sure this amazing charity can keep doing what they do best: supporting our community’s families when they need it most.
Bring the kids, bring your koha, and let’s show PIPS just how much they mean to all of us.
Direct Donations
If you’d like to make a direct or larger donation to PIPS, you can transfer funds directly to their account:
12-3240-0131716-00 PIPS PREGNANCY INFANCY PARENTING SUPPORT TRUST
Please put your name and ‘donation’ in the reference field. If you need a tax receipt, just email your details to [email protected] and they’ll sort you out.
We can’t wait to see you there!
With love, the team at nook NZ & Messy Mates x
