How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

By Lyle Griffiths

Gavin McLellan was raised in Scotland in Bishopton, just west of Glasgow. His father was a GP, his mother was a nursing Sister. Gavin is the youngest of five and the only boy! He is married to Keryn Banks and came to live in Martinborough in 2020.

“My father advised me against becoming a doctor, and so I had no idea what profession I wished to pursue. I was interested in lots of things: Astronomy, Art and Architecture. After some meandering at university, finally I graduated in Land Economics from the University of Paisley and then qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1996 – so my interest in Architecture was rewarded in a different way.

The arrival of the Millennium changed my way of thinking, partly a faith-based epiphany. I wasn’t comfortable with ethics in the property industry and making rich people richer. Global poverty had become a critical issue. 

“I participated in the huge protests organised by Jubilee 2000 going to G7 summits in Birmingham and Cologne. These called on the World Bank and governments to deliver debt cancellation to the poorest and most indebted nations.

In 1999 I moved from volunteer activist to full time work for Tearfund, an International Development Charity. They provided funding in over 60 poor countries for partner projects such as creating better water sources, food security, and sponsoring children. I had the chance to lead some supporter tours to Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya.

In 2005 I moved to become Head of Christian Aid Scotland. At this time the major global campaign was “Make Poverty History” calling for better aid, trade justice and debt cancellation. Taking a front row in the march of 250,000 people in Edinburgh was a highlight and meeting Gordon Brown just before he became Prime Minister of the U.K. I also visited the West Bank and Gaza – which feels very resonant for me now.

Following this I worked with lots of different causes, mainly in fundraising for over 15 years. 

“In Glasgow I worked on an appeal to rehouse the Transport Collection for the Riverside Museum. This was a museum I’d visited from childhood, so it was special to be part of it. I led the Scottish fundraising for Maggie’s Cancer Centres and became the first ever Development Director at Glasgow’s Jordanhill School – Scotland’s top performing secondary school.

Then Covid intervened. My job disappeared. We decided to return to New Zealand. Not just for a holiday this time but to live here permanently.

“For the last three years I have been Development Manager for Life Flight. I have the privilege to work with the most generous of supporters and those leaving gifts in their Wills.

I am supporting the campaign to fund the purchase of three air ambulances to replace the previous fleet. These King Airs provide rapid transfers to our major hospitals. Each one fully equipped to ICU standard. The game changer is the patient loading arm and wide cargo door. Stretchers can now be loaded so quickly, saving more time and ultimately more lives.

“While the New Zealand government provides some funding it only covers approximately 50 percent of each flight of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the Air Ambulance planes. Life Flight relies on community donations to keep operating. A major fundraising event ‘Uplift’ is planned in Martinborough this November.

Every campaign is different, but whatever the cause, it is so rewarding to feel you can make a crucial difference to peoples’ lives.”

You too can contribute: https://bookalifeflight.nz/