Kiwis urged to answer Coastguard's MayDay call

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Kiwis urged to answer Coastguard's MayDay call

Coastguard New Zealand launches its first national fundraising appeal

Auckland, 19 April 2011 - Coastguard New Zealand is launching its
inaugural MayDay fundraising appeal on Sunday 1 May and is calling on
Kiwis to show their support for the charity and its many volunteers.

Running for two weeks until Sunday 15 May, all donations made during
MayDay will be invested in supporting Coastguard's critical volunteer
programme 'Train one - save many'.

Coastguard volunteers play a critical role in the charity's ongoing
mission to save lives at sea. Each individual requires extensive
practical training, both in the water and the air, to ensure they can
respond to each call for help with speed and accuracy.

Coastguard relies on the funding support of the New Zealand public to
continue the valuable work it does to keep Kiwis safe on the water and
to help fund the crucial education initiatives needed to train each
volunteer.

Commencing on the day historically celebrated as May Day, the name of
the campaign also references the well-known distress signal used by
boaties around the world when calling for help.

Bruce Reid, CEO of Coastguard New Zealand, hopes that New Zealanders
will dig deep during the MayDay appeal and recognise the valuable
service that Coastguard and its many volunteers provide.

"Our volunteers give so much of their personal time to help keep New
Zealanders safe on the water. We hope that MayDay will help raise the
profile of the outstanding contribution they make every day.

"We also hope the MayDay appeal will help raise the necessary funds to
give them the unwavering training and support they need to do their job
safely while out on the water."

Mark Harnett (35), has been volunteering at Coastguard North Shore for
ten years, and is drawn back every year by the satisfaction of helping
to provide a much needed service to the community.

Over the past decade, Mark has invested almost 1,800 operational hours
on the water, averaging about 200 hours each year.

"I get to work alongside some truly admirable Kiwis who are so
passionate about keeping our fellow countrymen safe on the water.

"Coastguard volunteers are often the first on the scene when responding
to calls, play a key role in search and rescues so we are working in
sometimes dangerous and emotionally draining rescue operations.

"Having the resources to be trained to deal with these situations both
as they happen, and afterwards, is crucial so the MayDay appeal is a
great way to raise awareness of how important it is to have this
support," he says.

Look out for MayDay collectors on the street between 1-15 May or make a
donation by:

* Going online at www.coastguard.co.nz

* Make an automatic $25 donation by calling 0900 SOS SOS (0900
767 767)

* Direct into the Coastguard ASB Account 12-3209-0434030-01
(Please reference with MayDay and your SURNAME)

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