"I mean, we do, regularly." John's head tips to the side, "Penelope is always coming up with her Charity Balls and fundraisers," His nose wrinkles at the thought, "and we always make sizable donations. My brothers and I are also invested in many charitable branches: humanitarian aid, disaster relief, poverty prevention, wildlife conservation..."

Ah, gee, this is kinda difficult because actually picking one…

I know there’s a lotta criticism of ‘the rich’, lots of it very valid (you just gotta go to a charity auction to see it outta certain individuals 🫠). And it’s totally hypocritical to say I don’t think we think of ourselves like that, because, well… Thunderbirds. Tracy Industries. Own island. ‘Dad’s a billionaire’ sort of thing. But we didn’t grow up like that, we’re from a little farmhouse in rural Kansas. It’s still pretty… shiny new. I think we’re still getting used to it in a lot of ways.

Philanthropy is a huge part of Tracy Industries. Heck, the other family side project too, y’know? 😏 None of it is about fame or recognition. It’s about it making a difference. But specifically for TI, we make a really conscious effort to be involved in and fund organisations that make a difference. Some of it is individual, some of it at an organisational level.

I’m really lucky that lots of what I get to do with TI is not for profit. We have quite a few R&I running projects that directly support local charities and community groups, that provide them with technology and support to do what they’re trying to do. Most of mine are conservation work, environmental protection, stuff like that.

Away from work though and pressed to pick one? I’d probably have to just lucky dip ‘cus I couldn’t actually choose, however…

Ah yes! The charity I, under the auspices of Fischler Industries, am most involved with is the Wellington Children’s Hospital. They saved my own humble little life when I was very small you know! They are the only reason I am here and able to grant humanity the benefit of my visionary mind - one day their actions forty years ago may truly save the world

The staff have been very grateful for my many generous donations of whizzy gadgets and natty little toys over the years and the children are so happy to see them. Of course I have a very close relationship with their management and all the clever medical people.

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Q: If you had ten thousand dollars to give to just one charity, which would you choose?

A: Well, I'm quite fortunate to already be involved with so many wonderful charities, especially on the Tracy Industries side of work. However, if I had to pick one, I would probably choose the Red Cross. They came to my aid after the hurricane in my home town, and it's organisations like this that were the precursor to International Rescue.

I think I would give it to The Wilderness Foundation who provide support and training and counselling and amazing outdoor experiences to folks with mental health issues, vulnerable or at risk young people, neurodiverse kids for whom mainstream education is harder, and equip them to not only find out who they are and their place in the world but have so many conservation and rewilding projects that are actively making the world a better place while connecting with nature and adventure and wonder and helping them do it in a safe way.