Wellington to join global walk

Wellingtonians have the chance to march against world hunger on Sunday 21 May, joining a global walk aiming to raise US$5m for the United Nation's World Food Programme global school feeding programme.

The walk takes place across 24 time zones in over 100 countries, and the 10am walk on Sunday 21 May starting at Waitangi Park and ending at Parliament Buildings, will, along with Auckland's walk at the same time, be the first in the world.

"Fight Hunger: Walk the World" was initiated three years ago by TNT, global provider of express, mail and logistics services. This year TNT (NZ) is working with World Vision, students from Victoria University, and The Salvation Army to ensure the Wellington walk raises the issue of global hunger as well as raising funds for needy children around the world.

It's a significant event for the World Food Programme, according to Executive Director James Morris: "Fight Hunger: Walk the World is an extraordinarily important day when the whole world comes together at every single time zone to walk to raise money to feed hungry children to make it possible for children to have meals at school."

Wellingtonians who wish to join the walk turn up on the day, or can register on rampant.co.nz/walktheworld or fighthunger.org Registration is free and walkers are encouraged to get sponsors to raise money to fight world hunger. Half the funds raised in NZ will go to The Salvation Army to fight hunger in NZ, and half to World Vision and WFP.

Hunger is the biggest threat to health. Last year, more people died due to hunger and malnutrition than from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. There are 852 million people in the world who know what it is like to be hungry.

ENDS

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