Sir Roy McKenzie, who through the charitable JR McKenzie Trust gave thousands of dollars regularly to local LGBT organisations, died of cancer this week aged 84. Rainbow Youth, Agender NZ, Auckland Gay and Lesbian Welfare and Body Positive are among the hundreds of New Zealand organisations regularly funded by the Trust. Set up by Sir Roy's father Sir John McKenzie in 1940, the J R McKenzie Trust has given an estimated $100 million dollars to community groups which aim improve the quality of life of New Zealanders who have special needs, or face disadvantage. Claudia McKay, facilitator of Agender NZ Inc - an organisation providing support for transgendered New Zealanders - attended a tribute evening for Sir Roy held at Wellington's Town Hall in May this year. "Quite simply, we couldn't continue to operate and do all the work we do without funding from the Trust," says McKay. "Their generosity is vital to an organisation like ours. We apply for funding each year and they never turn us down." The J R MacKenzie Trust's contributions to community groups will continue into the future, says Sir Roy's son John, who is the current chair of the Trust. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 6th September 2007 - 2:40pm