Since its launch in 1982, the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme has grown to be one of New Zealand's most successful charitable programs. Through the years, this rural donation scheme has raised over $41 million for IHC, funds that have made a transformative impact on the lives of those it serves. This programme, driven by rural communities, changes lives and uplifts spirits.

Through reading the story below, you can truly see how much of a difference the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme can make in the lives of some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable individuals and their families. 

Ele and Grant Ludemann have been donating to the Calf & Rural Scheme for more than 20 years.

“We know firsthand how important the work of IHC is,” Ele said. Supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families is a cause very close to their hearts.

“Our son Dan was born in 1989. He had a degenerative brain disorder and multiple disabilities that meant he didn’t pass any of the developmental milestones,” said Ele. Sadly, Dan died in 1994.

“When I was struggling with Dan the local IHC manager said to me, “tell us what you need and we’ll work out a way to help.” Because Dan didn’t pass any of his developmental milestones, it was like having a newborn baby all the time. We had to be constantly thinking about him and working around him. We will always be grateful for IHC’s support.”

Ele says there was both practical support and moral support. “I remember one of the former Presidents of IHC telling me that although it was our responsibility to look after Dan, we didn’t have to do it all ourselves. And it was really reassuring to get told that.”

Then there was the practical help. “We got a shared care arrangement where, back then, IHC paid a family to look after Dan and give us a break. That made a huge difference. Knowing that we could have a few days off, sometimes a bit longer, without worrying about him. Knowing he was well looked after made a huge, huge difference to us and to Dan.”

Having other people who could look after Dan was security for him. Ele says, “because if something had happened to me there was someone who understood him. He couldn’t communicate so you had to be able to interpret what he needed. You had to know when he was ok, or when you need to go to the doctor or seek some help.”

“It is the help we had from IHC that makes us support the Calf & Rural Scheme. I was on the local IHC Committee for many years. When you get help you understand how valuable it is. You know that when you are actually dealing with a child who has an intellectual disability you often don’t have the time and energy to help the organisation as well.”

Ele and Grant own a mixture of sheep and beef, dairy and run off farms in North Otago. “We now donate Virtual Calves to IHC as we have sharemilkers. With Virtual Calves it is really easy. You just do it on the computer and then it is done. Knowing how helpful and supportive IHC was to us, we want to support the organisation to help others.”

If you would like to show your support to this wonderful cause, donations can be made in the way of virtual calves or lambs, or just simply make a donation online here.