Monday 28 February 2005

Media Release: Barnardos Launches Streamlined Appeal

Groups of supporters, school children, Barnardos staff and overseas students are doing their bit to raise funds for children in need this Appeal Week (28 February to 6 March).

“We’ve had a great response from people happy to get on board and raise funds for Barnardos during Appeal Week,” says Barnardos Chief Executive, Murray Edridge.
Most fundraising activities will take place on Butterfly Day, Thursday 3 March.

“We’ve streamlined the appeal this year so it is more cost-efficient, focused and fun,” says Murray. “Instead of running a nationwide street collection, we’ve asked groups of supporters to organise fundraising activities at a local level. The group approach will make for much less administrative work, lower overheads and be more fun for those involved.”

Fundraising groups will be kitted out with Barnardos Appeal paraphernalia including collecting boxes, butterfly tattoos and stickers.

They include two groups of overseas students collecting on Auckland’s Queen Street and at the ferry terminal, children at Barnardos Out of School Care and Recreation programme in Gisborne selling butterfly magnets (which they have made) and barbecued sausages outside their after-school venue, and Wellington staff from Barnardos and chief sponsor Shell, who will collect at Wellington’s Railway Station and at Wellington International Airport.

Once again, Shell is running a series of television advertisements calling on the public to help Barnardos get to at-risk children before someone else does.

“The support is impressive. We’re very grateful to those who’ve got involved,” says Murray. “Their enthusiasm and commitment to helping others less fortunate is wonderful.”

Money raised will go towards Barnardos range of children and family support services, such as parent education, family support (which offers practical advice and support to families in times of stress), parent education, counselling for children affected by domestic violence and marital break-ups, the FAIR Centre’s nationwide information phone line and supervised children’s access (enabling children to have safe and significant contact with non-custodial parents).

“We know these services have a major impact on the lives of those they touch,” says Murray. “They can help turn children’s lives around.”

Barnardos is also calling for donations by direct mail, telephone and on-line. Those wanting to donate can log on to the Barnardos website www.barnardos.org.nz and donate on-line, call 0800 00 5437 and donate over the telephone, call 0900 4 0900 for a $20 donation, or send a cheque to Freepost Authority 176, Barnardos National Office, P O Box 6434, Wellington.

ENDS

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