International Children's Care - Australia (ICCA)

To Dean, Merilyn and the whole ICCA team in Australia we say a big thank-you. Not many people realise that starting a charity in Australia is not an easy thing to do. So we turned to ICCA for help. Their incredible willingness to open their door to us and provide Australian tax receipting and administrative services on our behalf while we focussed on project implementation and fund-raising was truly amazing. Their advice and assistance throughout the whole process has been incredible and we can't thank them enough for trusting us and taking us on as a charity partner.

Learn more at the ICC Australia Web Site

Website Development Team

This fantastic website is the result of hard work by three professionals who we are completely indebted to for their pro-bono work. Anthony James, Andrew Gunter and Gavin Heaton have put in many hours and demonstrated extreme patience and understanding in ensuring we were able to reach our launch deadline. If you could have seen our initial brief to them you will fully appreciate what we are talking about. Their advice, professionalism and can-do attitude has been simply phenomenal. Thanks guys for an awesome job. Words cannot express our appreciation well enough.

Creata and Embrace International

Our introduction to China began thanks to the influence of a company called Creata. www.creata.com It was our involvement with Creata and the forming of their corporate charity, Embrace International, which started our involvement in the world of charity and our first step out of corporate life. Creata is one of the largest and most successful privately owned sales and marketing companies in the world today. Their involvement in China through the production of billions of promotional products resulted in their owner, Norma Rosenhain, and her son, Geoff Rosenhain wanting to give back into the lives of some of China's most needy children. This timed well with the passion of the Colquhoun's to start working with orphaned children. Embrace International was born as did their significant involvement with multiple orphanages (welfare institutions) throughout China. It was thanks to Embrace that the BLFC project in Northern China got started. Although we are no longer with Creata/Embrace, we are forever indebted to the introduction this gave us to the world of charity.

You can find out more about the Embrace story by visiting the Embrace International Web Site.

Crossroads International & Friends of Hong Kong Charities (FOHKC)

Malcolm Begbie, founder and CEO of Crossroads International, was one of our initial mentors into the world of charity (whether he knew this or not). Malcolm and his wife Sally founded Crossroads, a HK based international aid organisation now recognised by and involved with the UN. Read about this incredible humanitarian organisation by going to www.crossroads.org.hk Crossroads, in support of our work in China, has been the collection point for donations from Hong Kong organisations and individuals to date - a service they provide free of charge. They have also assisted some of our local community groups with international aid. In addition, their relationship with a USA-registered charity group.

Trinity Consulting Services

Anthony has been an incredible support to Captivating. He has singlehandedly reshaped our marketing and branding image to something that not only appeals to the public, but gives us something to feel really proud of. His insights and suggestions have pushed us to rethink the way we talk of our programs so that our true passion and purpose can be expressed in short and succinct statements (something one of us in particular struggles with). Under his guidance we feel we have evolved as an organisation these past weeks. Thanks AJ.

The Ask Trinity Web Site

Dale & Cyndi Gummin

You will read more about the Gummins in 'Our Team' section, however, Dale & Cyndi deserve special mention again. Simply put, you will not find a more dedicated and considerate couple. There passion for children and those in need of help and hope is unmatched. The Gummins direct the work of the BLFC in Northern China, a centre that will ultimately serve the needs of over 300 children and families struggling with poverty. You will not find a more modest and humble couple. Dale and Cyndi, we are so blessed to have crossed your path. Thanks for everything.

Napoloen Hong

Napoloen Hong has been an incredible support for us in China. Language is quite a challenge for us here and so life revolves around translators in almost everything we do. There are good ones, and then there are others where you are left clueless about what actually just happened. Napoloen would have to be regarded as simply one of the best. For this reason he is continually called away on speaking engagements with overseas groups who come to China demanding his help. He is a busy man. Yet he has been willing to come with us every quarter on our project visitation schedule to translate management meetings and many matters of delicate debate. He has one wife (Afan) and two children. Afan would have to be one of the most patient people we know as she (1) allows Napoloen to be away so often, and (2) still laughs at his constant games and sense of humour. We think you are a fantastic couple and family. Thanks for your help and support.

Dr Tian and her local support group (BLFC, Heilongjiang Province)

The Beautiful Life Family Centre project comes under the ultimate control and authority of Dr Tian and the City Red Cross. Dr Tian is an inspirational woman who leads not just one, but several different community service projects. Each of them is significant in its own right. In addition to her own responsibilities of running a medical practice, Dr Tian overseas the operation of a Hospital specifically established to meet the needs of the poor in the community. She runs a aged-care nursing home caring for 140 elderly people. On top of all this she is responsible for the ultimate operation of the BLFC. She is assisted by an extremely passionate support group - all retired ladies fired with a passion to see the needy in their community receive help and hope. These ladies all work as volunteers. It's a incredible group. Our 7 to 10 year partnership with Dr Tian aims to deliver a centre that is self-sustainable and meeting all of the objectives it was set up for. The most important of which is reaching as many needy children and families as it can. Her incredible leadership, energy and passion alone will ensure this happens.

Sara Townend (nee Cantrill)

Sara is a great friend and passionate fund-raiser for Captivating. She drives our child-sponsorship and fund-raising efforts back in Australia through her leadership and direction of a team of volunteers we call our "Captivating Champions". Sara and her husband Shaun (a talented musician who is writing a song for us, check out www.whenwerun.com visited Northern China last year and fell in love with the kids and the centre. You are an inspiration to us and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support that you show us.

Thomas Joynt

Every quarter we release an update newsletter called "Simply Captivating". Thomas is the mastermind behind the new look and design of this newsletter, a newsletter that will now be printed every six months thanks to Thomas's precision and involvement. A graphic design genius, Thomas runs his own graphic design business: www.thomasjoynt.com.