Free community event will raise awareness of harmful gambling

A free community event themed United Communities Celebrating Healthy Families is being held on Saturday 10 September at the Otara Town Centre from 10 am until 2 pm.

The event is part of Gambling Harm Awareness Week and is hosted by the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) of New Zealand, Mapu Maia and Asian Family Services, and supported by Choice Not Chance.

Andree Froude, PGF’s Communications Director, says Gambling Harm Awareness Week will run from 5 to 11 September and has superseded Gamblefree Day, which was traditionally held on 1 September.

“This is the first year a whole week has been dedicated to raising awareness of the harms of gambling in New Zealand,” she says.

United Communities is a free family event and will feature entertainment, information stalls, prizes, music, dancing and a free sausage sizzle.

“This year is set to be the biggest one yet. The event is always fun. We have some great local performers and plenty of family friendly activities. It also allows us to talk about the harm caused by gambling in our communities and promote health and wellbeing,” says Froude.

Visitors to the event will be entertained by the Papatoetoe Youth Choir, Thai Traditional Dance Group, Tongan Brass Band, K-Pop, Kapa Haka, Japanese Drumming and many more. There will be spot prizes and everyone will get a goodie bag on arrival.

The event is being held on Saturday 10 September at the Otara Town Centre, 20 Newbury Street, Otara, Auckland from 10 am until 2 pm.

© Scoop Media