Massive Musical Fundraiser to Support Life-Saving

For immediate release
2nd November 2010

Massive Musical Fundraiser to Support Life-Saving Cause

Funds raised at this year’s Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, being held 27th November in Christchurch and 11th December in Auckland, will go towards one of summer’s most important causes – helping Surf Life Saving New Zealand to make our beaches safer.

The popular free outdoor musical extravaganza, now in its 17th year, is attended by tens of thousands of concert-goers and is one of the year's biggest fundraisers for Surf Life Saving.

Hundreds of volunteer collectors will circulate throughout the massive crowds at both venues selling light sticks and Santa hats, with all proceeds going towards assisting the ongoing work carried out by over 3,500 active lifesavers across the 73 clubs in New Zealand.

Surf Life Saving Chief Executive Grant Florence says Surf Life Saving clubs around Auckland will spend in excess of $100,000 maintaining their inflatable rescue boats this summer, while Christchurch-based Surf Life Saving clubs will spend $130,000 on replacing IRB engines, upgrading and restoring earthquake-damaged clubhouses. “Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the start of the festive season while supporting the local surf lifeguards.”

Since the first five surf lifesaving clubs were established in the summer of 1910, New Zealand’s surf lifeguards have saved more than 50,000 lives, including 1,420 rescues last summer alone.

ENDS

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