Honouring Friendship Through Tribute Giving
Having great friends is one of life’s greatest gifts. Remembering them after they’ve gone by doing something meaningful in their memory strengthens that unbreakable bond.
That’s exactly what Wayne* did after losing his lifelong friend, Bob*. Heartbroken by Bob’s passing, Wayne chose to honour him through The Salvation Army’s Tribute Giving programme.
‘Bob and I went way back,’ Wayne recalls. ‘We were rugby and cricket mates from our teens. Rugby really united us—Bob was in the forwards; I was an outside back—and we played together for years. When we couldn’t play anymore, we coached and then became sideline critics,’ Wayne laughs. ‘Even as our families grew, we stayed close. You don’t get many mates like that. He was like a brother to me.’
When Bob became ill, Wayne stood by him. ‘It was one game he couldn’t win,’ Wayne says quietly. ‘Watching him pass away was tough. I felt helpless. You always think you’ll have more time—more laughs, more chats—but suddenly it’s gone.’
After grieving, Wayne reflected on Bob’s life and values. ‘Bob often talked about how The Sallies helped him and his mum when times were hard. He said, ‘Wayne, when we had no one else, they were there.’ That stuck with me. He wasn’t overly religious, but he always praised them for being practical and kind.’
Inspired by that, Wayne decided to give back in Bob’s name. ‘I thought, what better way to honour him than by helping others through Tribute Giving? It’s a way of keeping his memory alive and make a real difference. Every time I donate, I feel like I’m still doing something with Bob—still part of the team.’
You can do the same. Tribute Giving is a powerful way to celebrate someone you love while supporting those in need. To talk about tribute giving, please contact a relationship manager on our website: Salvationarmy.org.nz/TributeGiving
* Identities have been changed to protect privacy.
