Coastguard's first national MayDay fundraising appeal

MEDIA RELEASE

Coastguard's first national MayDay fundraising appeal draws near!

Auckland, 29 April 2011 –

Coastguard's inaugural MayDay fundraising appeal launches this Sunday 1 May.

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 will be hitting the streets collecting funds for MayDay and ASB will have donation boxes available at branches nationwide.

Bruce Reid, CEO of Coastguard New Zealand, says they are grateful for the overwhelming support of partners such as ASB and he hopes that Kiwis all around the country will respond to their call for help and dig deep during the appeal.

ASB's Chief Community Partnership Officer, Linley Wood says financial support from New Zealanders is essential to ensure Coastguard volunteers can continue to assist people out on our waters.

"ASB is pleased to be supporting this much needed volunteer programme and Kiwis have the opportunity to join us this MayDay by getting behind Coastguard's Appeal. Our ASB branches nationwide are available to collect funds from the public on behalf of Coastguard so please visit us to make your donation over the next two weeks."

Donations from New Zealanders will be used to continue the valuable work Coastguard does to keep Kiwis safe on the water and to help fund the crucial education initiatives needed to train volunteers.

It costs $34.30 per week to give each volunteer the extensive practical training, both in the water and the air, to ensure they can respond to each call for help with speed and accuracy and help fulfill the charity's ongoing mission to save lives at sea.

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

* Visiting an ASB branch and making a donation

* Going online at www.coastguard.co.nz

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

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

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