The Trust has four Trustees, Melissa’s parents Terry and Tanya Long, family friend Dave Wilson and lawyer Karen Venables, our accountant is Grant Hassall.
The Trust's motto is the same as Melissa’s when she was alive “Believe and You Will Achieve’’.
The benefactors of the Trust must be nominated and meet three criteria. They must be living in Taranaki, be 19 years of age and under and have endured some type of adversity.
The object of the Trust is to remind children that they are special no matter what their circumstances may be. If we can provide financial assistance, an experience or a function that will ease their worries even for one day, means the Trust has succeeded.
Funds for the Trust come in the way of donations, with our Annual Golf Day being the main source of income. To keep the Taranaki flavour the funds are held at the Taranaki Savings Bank.
The success of the Trust depends on people and people can contribute in one of three ways, by donating money, time, products or services.
It’s all about Taranaki people supporting Taranaki children and the intention is to spend as much money in Taranaki as possible.
Along with helping individual children we annually present the Melissa Long Memorial Cup at both Spotswood College and Devon Intermediate to a student who has achieved through adversity.
(Melissa attended both schools).
We also have an annual rugby match against a school, club or community group, our big end of year event is the 'Christmas Break In' where we surprise a local family with some festive cheer.
