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The Long Way Home

Bruce Hopkins on the Te Araroa Trail - Taking The Long Way Home for GRG

 
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Lynette Nielsen (Southland GRG Support Coordinator with Bruce and TA trail founder Geoff Chapple at Bluff
Well known to many as ‘Gamling’ of Lord of the Rings fame; in his 60’s, Bruce Hopkins is also a proud grandfather of three, a role which fills him with profound joy.

This sense of enjoyment led him to want to help grandparents around NZ who are thrown back into the full time parental role, usually due to a  traumatic or unexpected event or family breakdown.

His incredible journey ‘The Long Way Home’ commenced at Cape Reinga on 14 October 2017 and took seven tough and grueling months as he traversed some of our country’s most difficult terrain and high mountain passes.

In spite of near death experiences and some serious events affecting his physical health with injuries also sustained on the journey and a previously undiagnosed illness requiring surgery part the way through; Bruce defied the odds completing his incredible journey at Stirling Point at Bluff on 8 May 2018. 

Over this period, Bruce advocated for grandparents raising grandchildren, highlighting the issues and challenges they face in numerous media appearances and raised over $30,000 to support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ through his Givealittle page and this website.

During his journey, Bruce also recorded radio Podcasts for Radio NZ.

For more on his journey, see his Facebook page.

Our newsletters summarising each stage of his journey can also be found here:
Sep 2017
Oct 2017
Nov 2017
Dec 2017
Feb 2018
Mar 2018
Apr 2018
May 2018
Jul 2018
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Kate Bundle (GRG CEO) and Bruce Hopkins
On 30 June 2018, in recognition of his work as a GRG ambassador, raising awareness and funds for our work, we were delighted to appoint Bruce as an Honorary Life Member of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ

On behalf of us all at GRG, thank you Bruce.

You're a legend!
   
   
   
 

About us 

 
Grandparents Raising GrandchildrenTM Trust NZ (GRG) is a registered Charitable Trust operating throughout New Zealand providing support services to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren on a full-time basis. Our vision is for a community where grandparents raising grandchildren are empowered to provide a safe, secure and nurturing home for their grandchildren.

Charities Commission Registration CC20205
  
 

 
 
 
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Te tautoko i nga tupuna, mokopuna me te whanau.
Te awhina ia ratou ki te whakatutuki i nga putanga
pai i roto i to raatau oranga.
Supporting grandparents, grandchildren and whanau
to achieve positive outcomes in their lives.  

 

 

Contact us

Member Support 
Outside Auckland Freephone
0800 472 637      
0800 GRANDS


Auckland Landline or Mobile Phone Callers
(09) 418 3753 
 
 

 
National Support Office
9:00am - 2:00pm
09 418 3753

PO Box 34-892
Birkenhead,
Auckland 0746
New Zealand

Email GRG Office


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