George Consultancy

06/04/2026

I have been driving around with my mum in the boot… and it has brought me great comfort

That’s probably not the usual way to open a post, but here we are.

I have been very quiet over the past little while as I have been processing the loss of my mum, the last member of my immediate family. It has been a season of reflection, of slowing down, and of really thinking about what matters at the end of life.

My mum loved a good drive. It was a lifelong passion of hers.
There was something about being on the road, going somewhere (or nowhere in particular), that brought her joy.
So, having her ashes in the boot as I head out and about has, in a strange and beautiful way, brought me comfort and more than a few smiles. It feels like she is still coming along for the ride.

And in that space, I have been thinking a lot about legacy.

In my world, we often talk about bequests in terms of money or assets. But legacy is so much more than that.

In our family, my father and two of my four siblings died from Huntington's disease. Their brains were donated to the Auckland Brain Bank to support vital research aimed at understanding and ultimately eliminating this disease.

As the mother without the disease, and as the sibling with the closest genetic match who does not carry the huntingtin gene, my mum and I will become part of the “control” group.
Even in death, her contribution continues to matter.

This is a legacy that is deeply meaningful to us. And yet, I am continually surprised by how few people know about the world-class research happening right here in Aotearoa every single day.

I am incredibly proud of the bequest my mum made. And I fully intend to follow in her footsteps when my time comes.

Because, let’s be honest…it is exciting that Someone finally wants me for my brain!

This season has reminded me that legacy is not just about what we leave behind financially. It is about what we choose to give, who we choose to help, and the impact that continues long after we are gone.

So, as I slowly step back into this space and reconnect with this amazing community, I will be sharing more about legacy, about giving, and about the many ways we can all make a difference.

For now, I will keep taking Mum out for a drive. ❤️

02/11/2025

If you are interested in raising funds for your community group or charity and can be in Kirikiriroa Hamilton on Wednesday 5th November 2025 - come and check out the Funding Expo at Hamilton Gardens.

I am delighted have been invited to run a workshop on Fuure Funding which I will be doing at 2:15 pm

Plus I will have a stand there and as always I love the opportunity to talk fundraising - check out the map to see where to find me.

I hope to see some familiar faces along there.

01/10/2025

I will have a stand at the amazing Franklin Positive Aging Expo on Friday 3rd October sharing information on how clubs, community group and charities can set up ethical and donor centred gift in will fundraising.

I will also have copies of the "Your Complete Life and Legacy Guide" for sale in a bound version.

The expo is a great initiative and has am amazing vibe with lots of entertainment and interesting stands.

I hope to see you there!

01/10/2025

🚀 Calling all fundraisers!
Are you ready to set up and run an ethical, donor-centred Gifts in Wills (Bequest) programme – with the knowledge and confidence to do it yourself?
I’m excited to announce that my popular in-person Bequest Fundraising Workshops are now coming online! Over the years, these workshops have been incredibly well received – in fact, 98% of participants had their programmes underway within a week of completing the training.
Over 6 weeks, you’ll get:
✅ Step-by-step guidance to set up your programme
✅ A workbook packed with tips, tools and resources
✅ Decades of knowledge shared in a clear, user-friendly way
✅ The confidence to have meaningful donor conversations that truly inspire giving
💻 Online classes will be available in both daytime and evening options to suit your schedule.
💰 Investment: just $225 + GST per person.
Prefer not to do it yourself? I also offer consulting and can build the programme for you.
👉 To join the waitlist, simply email me at [email protected]
with your preference for daytime or evening, and I’ll let you know as soon as dates are confirmed.
This could be the most important fundraising training you take this year. 🌿

30/09/2025

I am excited to be at the amazing Franklin Positive Ageing Expo in Pukekohe this Friday - 3rd October

59 Ward Street, Pukekohe

I will have information on how community groups, clubs and charities can benefit from creating ethical and donor centred Gift in Will programmes.

I will also have a special Expo only offer on the Bound version of the "Your Complete Life and Legacy Guide" available - limited stocks will be available.

this expo is brilliant with loads of amazing stalls and great entertainment.

Come on down and say hello.

29/09/2025

📝 Have you ever thought about how prepared your loved ones would be if something happened to you?
Getting your Will in place is important – but often it’s the other details that make life so much easier for the people left behind. That’s why I created Your Complete Life & Legacy Guide.
This 32-page workbook helps you:
✔️ Organise your thoughts and wishes before you write your Will
✔️ Capture practical details – from where the utilities are to key contacts
✔️ Record personal memories and messages you want to pass on
✔️ Even decide what happens with your social media accounts, protecting them from scammers
✔️ Give your family both your Will and a clear guide to ensure your wishes are met and honoured
Sorting this out in your own head first makes it far easier to then sit down with your lawyer (or an online tool) to write your Will. And when the time comes, your loved ones will have both the Will and this guide to navigate with clarity and peace of mind.
🌿 Special launch price: $24.97 for the PDF copy – and because it’s digital, you can reprint pages anytime life changes.

Order your copy here:
www.georgeconsultancy.co.nz

21/09/2025

I can now add "As seen on TV" to my titles.

This morning I was interviewed by Breakfast TV on the importance of having a Will and shared my story of dying suddenly in December 2011 as a cautionary tale for people who think they have time to get things sorted.

They mentioned the resource I have created "Your Complete Life and Legacy Guide" to help people work out all the things they need to think about.

I even managed to do a plug for the awesome Positive Ageing Expo at Pukekohe on 3rd October that I will have a stand at.

If you want the link to the Guide it is:

https://www.georgeconsultancy.co.nz/product-page/your-complete-life-legacy-guide

Normal programming will now resume :)

Your Complete Life & Legacy Guide – "Launch" special of $24.97 (usually $27) Putting your affairs in order isn’t just about documents - it’s about peace of mind for you, and a lasting gift for those you love. In just 32 beautifully designed pages, Your Complete Life & Legacy Guide walk...

15/09/2025

Starting the conversation with your parents about their future wishes can feel daunting – but it’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family.

That’s why I created Your Complete Life & Legacy Guide – a 32-page workbook designed to make these conversations easier, while capturing everything your loved ones need to know in one place.

This guide helps you:
✔️ Take the stress out of “that conversation” with gentle prompts and structure
✔️ Ensure wishes are clearly understood and respected
✔️ Capture precious memories and personal stories
✔️ Record practical details like where the utilities are, account numbers and key contacts
✔️ Even direct what happens to social media accounts – protecting them from scammers
✔️ Prevent unnecessary confusion and stress for your family
👉 Special launch price: $24.97 (PDF copy) – and because it’s digital, you can easily reprint pages as things change.

If you’ve been meaning to start the conversation but didn’t know where to begin, this guide is the perfect first step.

📖 Find out more and order your copy here: www.georgeconsultancy.co.nz

14/09/2025

Talking to your parents about their wishes for the future can be tough – but it doesn’t have to be.

That’s why I created Your Complete Life & Legacy Guide – a step-by-step 32-page workbook to make “that conversation” so much easier.

It’s designed to help families:
💚 Capture special memories and personal stories
💚 Record practical details like where the utilities are and important contacts
💚 Even direct what happens to social media accounts – protecting loved ones from scammers
💚 Avoid stress and confusion later on
💚 Give peace of mind that everything has been thought about

🌿 Special launch price: just $24.97 for the PDF copy – and you can reprint pages if anything changes over time.

This could be the most meaningful gift you give your family.

📖 Order your copy today at www.georgeconsultancy.co.nz

12/09/2025

Make leaving a Gift in a Will an Option for those members/supporters who love what you do

Many fundraisers hesitate to talk about Gifts in Wills – but here’s the surprising truth:

💡 When the conversation is raised, the number of people who leave a gift doubles.

This tells us something powerful: people genuinely want to support in this way – they just don’t always realise it’s an option.

If your organisation has loyal members or supporters who love what you do, make sure leaving a Gift in a Will is on the table as an option.

You might be amazed at the impact it can create. 🌿

05/09/2025

🔔 Fundraisers in charities, community groups, churches, and sports clubs… this is for you!
Are you keen to learn how to set up and run an ethical, donor-centred Gifts in Wills (Bequest) programme?
I’m excited to be taking my popular in-person classes online!
🌐 Feedback from past participants has been incredible (I’ll share some of their words soon).
Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn everything you need to launch a successful Bequest programme – with practical tips, proven strategies, and resources to help it thrive.
💼 To top it off, we’ll welcome a special guest investment expert in the final session, sharing what to do when the money starts coming in. And trust me – you’ll want a plan. The average bequest in NZ is $56k, and I regularly see gifts of $100k to $1 million.
📩 Join the waitlist and be the first to know when dates are confirmed:
📧 Email me at [email protected]

Please let me know if daytime or evening suits you best – I’ll be running both options.
📚 The full programme is just $225 + GST per person for 6 classes, the workbook, and the benefit of my decades of fundraising experience.
This could be the most important fundraising training you invest in this year. 🌿

30/08/2025

SEPTEMBER is WILLS MONTH - What is your charity or club doing to start the conversations with your supporters to see if this is an option that they would be interested in?

The large charities will be inundating TV Radio Social Media and Print with their "asks" for Gifts in Wills!

You can leverage off this without spending a cent by using their ads to start a conversation with your people.

If you want to know how to start these conversations reach out and chat to me - I am Fiona and I take the fear out of Gift in Will Fundraising.

Pop in the comments what are the reasons that people do not raise this as an option for their supporters.