About Us
Sam’s story
Why Kickstart for Sam exists
Sam died suddenly in 2017 from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, an undiagnosed heart condition.
Sam was a beautiful kid. He was always there for the underdogs and never had a bad word to say about anybody.
After Sam’s passing, we wanted to use Sam’s name to create a positive impact on the lives of local children. And, we wanted to raise awareness of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Hence, in 2017, we created the Samuel Brett Nelson Kickstart Foundation. Otherwise known as Kickstart for Sam.
The foundation aims to provide local kids opportunities they may not have been able to experience. We now offer swimming lessons, opportunities to play team sport or learn an instrument. Kids can get involved in an arts program, learn self defence and build up their overall confidence.
It also provides children suffering from anxiety or bullying access to mental and emotional support as well as a martial arts/confident kids’ programs. The charity also offers programs for children with Autism. This has also been conducted by Col Osborne at Forster Mixed Martial Arts.
Enabling children to participate in new community activities through sport or music, reflects Sam’s values and his warm and generous heart.
This foundation will enable Sam’s name and memory to live on in our community for many years to come. At the end of lessons, we all put our hands together and shout Sam’s name. It brings back the grounding and why we have the opportunity.
We have kids who can now swim – kids who couldn’t acknowledge water now jumping in and going for a swim.
It’s for the kids and our kids benefit and Sam’s memory lives on.
We want young people to look back and say “ If I hadn’t had the opportunity through the foundation to learn to swim at the age of 12, I probably never would have been able to!”
Help us make these dreams real by supporting the Foundation financially and through the programs we run to help disadvantaged kids in The Great Lakes of NSW.
Our People
The difference we make is driven by the amazing people sharing their skills and their time.
Steve
Steve is the father of Sam and of two other beautiful children. He is also the Head Builder and Owner of B&S Nelson Building Services, a local renovation specialist that he runs alongside his lovely wife, Nikki.
Nikki
Nikki is the wonderful other half to Steve at B&S Nelson Building Services. Together they somehow run a successful building company and keep their family life ticking along!
Heidi Parsons
Heidi is a teacher at Holy Name Primary School in Forster and loves teaching kids and seeing them develop over time. She facilitates music classes jam packed with different instruments for the kids to use, from guitars to keyboards to drums. She helps the kids in the foundation to practice, have patience and to persevere.
Thanks Heidi for your time and efforts!
Jeff Summers
The Jeff Summers Football Academy is a coaching program that focuses on the development of individual ball skills and technical aspects of soccer players between the ages of 9-17. Jeff has represented Australia in the under 20’s Young Socceroos squad in 1994 and 1995. He has also played in countries such as Japan and South America. He has trained under the mentorship of Chelsea FC legend and International Coerver Coaching Technical Director, Charlie Cooke. Jeff loves teaching kids and the kids love Jeff.
Thanks for your energy and time Jeff!
Col Osborn
Col runs the Forster Mixed Martial Arts club. His work with both kids and teens has had a positive impact on their self-assuredness and sense of achievement. Success stories range from people standing up to their bullies, approaching situations in life with self confidence and taking actions that they previously would not have attempted.
Col supports Kickstart for Sam by training children and teens to give them access to skills, support and self confidence that has achieved wonderful accolades.
Thanks Col, for your constant guidance and support for the kids!
Our PARTNERS
Thank you to the following organisations who have offered their expertise, services, space and/or equipment.