The Epilepsy Waikato Charitable Trust and its members can trace its roots all the way back to 1956 when the Huntly Lions’ Club sponsored an epilepsy interest-group meeting with the British Epilepsy Association (BEA). This led to a branch of the BEA being formed in Hamilton (New Zealand), which then became Epilepsy Waikato. Eventually the Epilepsy Association of New Zealand Incorporated (EANZ) was formed by June of 1959 as a national body headquartered in Hamilton and eventually affiliating with branches around the country (including a local branch in Hamilton).
Epilepsy Waikato Charitable Trust (EWCT), based in Hamilton, has grown out of the original Waikato/Hamilton branch and was created on 28 June, 2011 by ex-branch members and others as it was felt that there was a particular gap in terms of support that the Trust could fill. The Trust has since become a well regarded and highly professional client-focussed epilepsy organisation serving the Waikato District Health Board region and beyond.
The new organisation has been strongly supported over the years by Hon. Tim Macindoe, former MP for Hamilton West, who became our long-serving patron.
In 2021, Epilepsy Waikato Charitable Trust celebrated ten years as a regional epilepsy provider with the publication of a book, “Understanding and Managing Epilepsy – an Introductory Guide“, by Maria Lowe (our former epilepsy advisor) and David Lowe our now retired Chair), the first general book on epilepsy to be published in New Zealand in more than 30 years. On 30 September, 2021, 100 copies were donated to the Neurology Department of Waikato Hospital. EWCT has also given free copies to every library in the Waikato region.
Previously, EWCT had published two children’s books, the first in 2014, “Ben’s Buddies”, and the second in 2017, “Ariana and Jack”. Both in English and te reo Māori, hundreds of copies of these colourful picture books have been provided free to clients, schools, libraries, and others with an interest in epilepsy. “Ben’s Buddies” was dedicated to the late Paul Manning, and “Ariana and Jack” to Faith Gibbs and Cyril Markham, both having been awarded lifetime memberships with EWCT in recognition of their 50+ years of service in the Waikato region. EWCT has also published a well-used seizure diary and hosts an informative and user-friendly website.
EWCT acknowledges and thanks numerous funders, listed on our website, for allowing such publications to be generated and also for ongoing support that enables staff and trustees of EWCT to carry out their roles to help people with epilepsy and their family and friends.