We’re extremely grateful to all those who provide their ideas, time, support and donations to The Little Miracles Trust.
A consistent theme we encounter in our work is the very special people who choose to get involved. From those who give their time and support to the care of neonatal babies, the families themselves who go above and beyond for others, and the social profit space in general.
We’re keen to highlight some of these wonderful people with a regular interview piece. Learn more about the generous Dave Drury and Ryan Edwards of Points for Purpose – who are supporting The Little Miracles Trust.
Through Points for Purpose, people can use their Fly Buys points to gift items to families going through the stress and anxiety of a neonatal journey. As an example of this in action, you can read this article from Stuff.co.nz
Supporter profile, Dave Drury.
1. Tell us about your journey before starting Points for Purpose
I grew up in regional New South Wales, Australia. I loved the outdoors, I loved sport, and I became fascinated about how people interact and what makes people tick. After university, I headed to England where I learnt the craft of website architecture, user experience and project management.
I travelled to more than 40 countries across UK, Europe, Asia and Africa before returning back to Sydney where I learned a whole lot more, started a successful business, sold out of it and decided it was time to explore a long-held belief that there was more to life than only doing work for big corporates and that people are what counts more than anything. Travels to Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia opened my eyes to the real world. I spent time with the under privileged and decided that I wanted to be part of the solution to the unbelievable inequality in this world.
2. How did you come up with the idea of Points for Purpose?
Actually, Points for Purpose found me. I had arrived home from my “discovery” trip, and with fresh eyes, I noticed the homeless people – not just in Sydney, but in our suburbs. A friend from London was giving away 68,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points that were soon to expire, and I was saddened by a bunch of people saying they could use the points for things I saw were simply “nice to haves”, so I suggested that the points could buy sleeping bags for people in need.
3. If such a thing as a ‘typical week’ existed, what would be on your list of things to do?
Being a guy that thrives on change and adventure I’m happy to report that the typical week doesn’t exist. Points for Purpose exists in both Australia and NZ, so I spend my time between both countries on business strategy, partnership development, communications, team leadership, website enhancements, speaking events – basically anything needed to get more people to consider using their loyalty points for great purpose.
4. What’s the best thing about your job?
Being uninhibited in my pursuit of doing the work that matters. I’m constantly surrounded by people that truly inspire me and are making this world a better place. That makes going to ‘work’ each day a very easy thing to do.
5. Outside of Points for Purpose, what keeps you busy?
I’ve been building my own house out of recycled materials for several years now, it’s an incredibly rewarding / challenging project – I’m definitely on the home stretch.
It’s important to have balance in your days, so spending time with my wife and friends is incredibly important to me as is surfing, doing yoga and keeping fit at the gym. I’ve also just bought a trail bike, so I’ll be finding time to go off the beaten track and enjoy a shot or two of adrenaline.
6. What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Ummm…that I’ve been collecting coca-cola memorabilia from all over the world for more than 20 years; that I’ve camped in the shadow of Vlad Dracula’s Castle (Count Dracula) in Romania; that I ran with the Bulls in Spain and survived.
7. What does the future of Points for Purpose look like? What’s the vision?
Points for Purpose mission is to create a much kinder world. Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere is using loyalty points to create a much kinder world. What that looks like today is individuals being able to gift specific products to specific charities, but in the future, people will be using their points together to solve bigger problems. Imagine when your points can buy a water desalination plant to provide clean fresh water to thousands of people in need; or a new humidicrib for more hospitals around NZ.
Supporter profile, Ryan Edwards.
1. Tell us about your journey before joining Points for Purpose
I’m a creative by definition, and so most of my time and energy has gone towards songwriting and performing. I don’t write songs about my own stuff all the time, so I spend a lot of time people watching (much to my wife’s annoyance) to get inspiration. I write often about causes that are close to me, and this has flowed through to my “real job” in marketing and advertising – where I choose to do what I do for good causes. That’s what I was doing when Dave Drury phoned me to tell me about his “little idea.”
2. If such a thing as a ‘typical week’ existed, what would be on your list of things to do?
Each week, and in fact, each day is different. One day we might be focusing on getting Kiwis to understand the power of their points, and the next we may be working to bring a new cause or charity onboard. Answering emails from Dave in Sydney takes up a fair bit of time, too! Then I’m doing communications for non-profits, teaching singing and songwriting to children and playing music at spots around the Kapiti Coast to keep my mental health balanced.
3. What’s the best thing about your job?
Working in a partnership with a tremendous, big hearted bloke to do really good things for others is what makes this job great. We’ve known each other for 20 years, and we know we are doing something that will put smiles on faces.
4. Outside of Points for Purpose, what keeps you busy?
I have 3 kids, so that’s a lot of time wiped out right there, but I make sure there is time for songwriting and a few hours at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club.
5. What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I used to be a radio announcer on ZMFM, More FM and a station called The Heat in Wellington.
