Body Shop Celebrates 20 Years Making A Difference

Media Release
8 July 2009

The Body Shop New Zealand Celebrates 20 Years Of Making A Difference In New Zealand And Around The World

It’s been 20 years since The Body Shop opened its doors in New Zealand and what a journey it’s been. We’ve campaigned, protested and raised millions for causes around New Zealand and the world, for whales, dolphins, tigers, children, women and political prisoners to name just a few.

Through our community project programme our staff have contributed over 35,000 paid volunteer hours in their local communities. We have donated over $500,000 worth of products to help raise funds for local organisations, schools and kindergartens and this year alone, we have already made three cash donations valued at over $100,000.

But we don’t do this because it’s fashionable. We do it because, to us, it’s the only way. The way we do business, the way we make our products, the way we source our ingredients, and the way we use our voice; we’re different because of our values and this goes way beyond “corporate social responsibility”. For us, our success in contributing to the common good is just as important as making a buck and although we are not perfect, we strive to continually improve and live out our values every day.

To celebrate 20 years of making a difference we’re giving back again, this time to Children on the Edge, our loyalty programme charity of choice. Founded by Dame Anita Roddick in 1990, Children on the Edge exists to help the most marginalized and vulnerable children worldwide with particular focus on those without parental care.

For the week of our 20th Birthday, we will be giving Children on the Edge NZ an additional $5 for every handmade community trade Children on the Edge purse purchased through The Body Shop between 20th – 27th July.
What this means is that Children on the Edge will be able to double the support they are able to provide vulnerable children from the sale of each purse. For example, instead of one, they’ll be able to provide two children with nutritious meals for a month or buy two blankets to keep kids warm over winter instead of just the one.

GIVE BACK & IT WON’T COST A CENT
In addition to this, we’re pleased to launch the ‘GIVE BACK’ programme. GIVE BACK allows our loyalty programme members the opportunity to donate all or some of their accumulated loyalty points back to Children on the Edge. For every 10 points given back The Body Shop NZ will donate $1 to Children on the Edge, allowing them to support the forgotten children of Burma by providing them with a place of safety, free from war, oppression, persecution, hunger and child trafficking.
www.childrenontheedge.org.nz

“Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living”
Dame Anita Roddick 1942-2007 – Founder of Children on the Edge

ends

© Scoop Media