Charity Gaming Association members give $68 mn

Media Statement
7 December 2003

Charity Gaming Association members give

$68 million to communities

Rescue services, kindergartens and schools, guide dogs, Surf Life Saving, sports clubs, medical researchers and thousands of other good causes have received more than $68 million in grants in just six months from members of the Charity Gaming Association.

Among national organisations, The Deaf Association received $45,000 to continue its work; AA Driver Education received $100,000 to help make the roads safer; the NZ

Olympic Committee received more than $530,000; Surf Life Saving was boosted by more than $500,000 and the International Festival of the Arts received $100,000.

Donations varying from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars were also made to thousands of local organisations that may otherwise not survive.

Members of the association have just published details of grants made to thousands of New Zealand community groups. Charity Gaming Association chairman The Rt Hon Paul East said the Association's members are committed to raising as much money as possible so that communities around New Zealand receive maximum benefit.

"I'm very proud of the Association's achievements in supporting organisations that are at the heart of building and maintaining strong New Zealand communities. Gaming machines have a unique position in New Zealand. Apart from running expenses and government taxes and duties, all the funds raised are given away to needy community groups."

The money raised all came from gaming machines operating by Charity Gaming Association members - The New Zealand Community Trust, Lion Foundation, Scottwood Group, Castle Trust and The Southern Trust. These five charitable trusts support the Association's strong emphasis on ethics and integrity in community fundraising and follow the Association's code of practice.

"The success of the Association in promoting honest and ethical gaming has seen it grow to the point where members now donate more than $130 million a year to community groups and operate more than 40 per cent of the gaming machines in New Zealand," Mr East said.

"Local councils are due to make important decisions soon on policies to control gaming. If your club or organisation has received funding from gaming machines, tell our local council about it. Let your council know how important the funding is to you. I urge everyone who understands how important community funding is to make a submission to their local council," he said.

"Many community groups rely on our funding to continue their useful work. Funding from other sources in New Zealand is continuing to dry up, which makes our contributions all the more welcome and necessary," he said.

Ends.

Attached: The regional breakdown of the Charity Gaming Association grants

Regional breakdown of Charity Gaming Association grants

In the Auckland region, Hobsonville School received $1000, Green Bay Scouts $2000, Otahuhu College $33,000, West Auckland Toy Library $3000, the Child Development Foundation $52,013, University of Auckland School of Medicine Foundation $100,000, Papakura Netball Centre $23,060, Hibiscus Coast Community House $15,000, Waitakere Abuse and Trauma Counselling Service $14,791, the United Asian Association $6764, and Onewhero Rural Fire Force $4960. Details have been published of hundreds of other organisations in the region that also received funding.

In the Bay of Plenty region, The BOP Rowing Association got $35,000, Kawerau Maori Women's Welfare League $829, Te Puke Primary Schools Rugby Football Union $2000, Gate Pa School $15,679, Murupara Rugby and Sports Club $7000, BOP Hockey Association $15,200, Mt Maunganui Sports Club $7256, and Rotorua Jazz Club $1000. Details have been published of hundreds of other organisations in the region that also received funding.

In the Hawke's Bay, Birthright Napier received $3000, Central Districts Cricket Association $58,000, Coronets Netball Club $4415, Hawke's Bay Badminton Association $1800, Napier Aquahawks Swim Club $1480, Hawke's Bay A&P Society $28,400, and Westshore Surf Life Saving $35,647. Details have been published of hundreds of other organisations in the region that also received funding.

In the Wellington Region, Capital Soccer received $12,000, Hutt City Women's Refuge $1133, Kapiti Music Centre Trust $3905, Kilbirnie School $1469, Petone Sports Association $12,483, Te Aroha Netball Club $6413, Waikanae Music Society $575, Wellingotn City Mission $50,000, Wellington Zoo Trust $19,000, Cellmates Netball $992, Embassy Theatre Trust $90,000, Pinehaven School $4150. Details have been published of hundreds of other organisations in the region that also received funding.

In the Nelson/Marlborough Region, Nayland College $9254, Nelson Sex Offenders' Treatment Programme $1787, Eastern States Speedway $6000, Marlborough Women's Soccer Assocation $1300, Lifeline Nelson $2000, Motueka Golf Club $15,786, Nelson Hockey Association $13,658, Richmond Netball Club $5000, Stoke Community Centre $2000, Koromiko School $3225, and Habitat for Humanity $3490. Details have been published of hundreds of other organisations in the region that also received funding.

In the Canterbury region, the Dallington Scout Group received $647, the Sumner Senior Citizens Club $700, Burwood School $3000, Canterbury Fire Brigade Rugby Club $5000, Canterbury Regional Opera Trust $730, Community Law Canterbury $5536, Amberley Combined Sports Club $2115, Diamond Harbour School $1000, Irwel Tennis Club $345, Leeston Consolidated School $1100, Belfast Rugby Football Club $11,000, Shirley Cricket Club $12,000, Kaiapoi Croquet Club $2200, Lyttleton Volunteer Fire Brigade $4000, and Waimate Historical Society $2000. Details have been published of hundreds of other organisations in the region that also received funding.

In Otago, the Dunedin Hospital Childcare Centre received $1500, Arrowtown School $4100, Wakatipu Rugby Club $4913, City of Dunedin Pipe Band $1489, Fortune Theatre Trust $5000, Green Island School $6700, Netball Otago $7650, Taieri Golf Club $2750, Oamaru Play Centre $1893, Dunedin Santa Parade Trust $2500, Friends of Dunstan Hospital $5000, and Netball Otago $9383. Details have been published of hundreds of other organisations in the region that also received funding.

ENDS

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