Bands 4 Hope: An Eggceptional Easter Giving Idea

Bands 4 Hope: An Eggceptional Easter Giving Idea

This Easter, why not treat your loved ones to some hope? BANDS 4 HOPE fundraisers for the Christchurch Mayoral Earthquake Fund suggest supplementing Easter eggs with gifts of black and red wristbands to raise much needed funds and show continued support for Christchurch.

The BANDS 4 HOPE appeal has so far raised over $500,000 but Christchurch still needs help. With less than a week to go before the Easter holiday weekend, Christchurch was shaken by yet another large jolt, and all the while a mammoth recovery effort from the February quake continues.

BANDS 4 HOPE is an appeal organised and fully funded by TelstraClear. The company has donated 200,000 black and red wristbands designed to help New Zealanders and people around the world show their support for Christchurch. Each band can be purchased for a donation of $5 or more and all of the money raised by TelstraClear will go directly to the Christchurch Mayoral Earthquake Fund.

BANDS 4 HOPE aims to raise at least $1 million and fundraisers say the appeal is halfway there. TelstraClear CEO Dr. Allan Freeth says he hopes New Zealanders and people around the world will continue to dig deep for Christchurch.

"We all love a good chocolate fix, but Easter is about more than that. As well as spending time with your family and friends, show your support for those in Christchurch by buying and wearing a BAND 4 HOPE, knowing that one hundred percent of your money is going to help the Mayor get Christchurch back on its feet."

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has praised the initiative, he was among the first to sport the black and red bands.

"The public response to the BANDS 4 HOPE appeal has been absolutely stupendous! The initiative has struck a chord with people from all around New Zealand, and even internationally, which typifies the generosity of people wanting to support the rebuild of Christchurch."

The Mayor is joined by a growing number of high profile people supporting the cause including His Royal Highness Prince William, who donned a pair of bands when visiting Christchurch last month, Christchurch Local Simon Barnett who appears in a television commercial for BANDS 4 HOPE and Jeremy Corbett and the 7 Days team, who all wore the bands and promoted the appeal on the show.

John Hepburn, Timaru based V8 driver also pledged his support by branding his race car with BANDS 4 HOPE at the ITM400 in Hamilton last weekend.

Others have headed online to profile the appeal; Shortland Street's Kiel McNaughton, The Burger King Breakers and Target's Brooke Howard Smith all posted BANDS 4 HOPE support photos on Facebook, while The Almighty Johnsons' Jared Turner, New Zealand's Next Top Model host Sara Tetro and Midnight Youth's Jeremy Redmore all took to Twitter to promote the cause.

BANDS 4 HOPE are available from participating New Zealand PostShops and online via the BANDS 4 HOPE website: www.Bands4Hope.co.nz.

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