Jump to save the children

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release

3 April 2012

jump to save the children

Calling all seasoned and budding skydivers and bungy jumpers!

This is your chance to take the plunge of a lifetime and raise funds for Save the Children New Zealand through the Gravity Gives Project on 28 - 29 April 2012.

The event isn’t just for extreme sports enthusiasts. If this is the year you’ve decided to harness yourself to a bungy cord or jump out of an airplane for the first time, why not use the moment to also change the life of a child. Your leap of faith couldn’t be more meaningful.

“The Gravity Gives Project is fun and inspirational yet has a serious mission to improve the lives of vulnerable children,” said Save the Children New Zealand CEO Liz Gibbs.

“Bungy jumping started here and is part of New Zealand’s culture of adventure – and what could be a better feeling than doing something this exhilarating to help save a child’s life,” she said.

And if jumping from great heights just isn’t your thing - but creating a better future for children is – why not challenge a friend, colleague or family member who loves a thrill.

You can sign up to any skydive or bungy jump centre in New Zealand – either as an individual or as a team. Register for the event today on www.gravitygivesproject.com and spread the word.

In New Zealand, five companies are proactively supporting the Gravity Gives Project:
• Mokai Gravity Canyon near Taihape (www.gravitycanyon.co.nz)
• Taupo Bungy (www.taupobungy.co.nz)
• Thrillseekers Adventures in Hanmer Springs – offering a 30% discount to anyone who wants to jump in support of this event (www.thrillseekers.co.nz)
• A J Hackett in Auckland and Queenstown (www.bungy.co.nz)
• Sky Dive New Zealand at Franz Josef Glacier – offering a 10% discount for charity jumpers (www.skydivefranz.co.nz).

If your adventure company would like to take part, contact Tina Callcut at Save the Children New Zealand on 0297 701 982 today.

Six easy steps to joining the Gravity Gives Project 2012
1. Contact the skydive or bungy jump centre of your choice and book your spot on 28 or 29 April 2012.
2. Register online and create your own participant’s page.
3. Use the features on your page to send messages to people you know and ask them to sponsor you for your jump.
4. People who wish to support you can send a pledge through PayPal directly to Gravity Gives Project’s account using your participant page.
5. Track your progress towards your fundraising goal and send updates to your supporters.
6. Jump to save the children on either the 28 or 29 April 2012.

For further information contact:

Tina Callcut on 0297 701 982 or Jude O’Dea on 0297 706 213

ENDS

Editor’s notes:

Gravity Gives project

Why was the Gravity Gives Project established?
The Gravity Gives Project was established in 2009 by Canadian Greg Nelson. Greg often noticed major charity events taking place that had people doing everyday things such as walking, running, biking or golfing.

As a long-term participant in the skydiving and bungy communities he saw a genuine desire to help others in many of the people he engaged with. He wanted to harness this spirit and encourage these people to work collectively to help those less fortunate than themselves.

And so the Gravity Gives Project was born.

Is there a minimum fundraising amount that I have to collect?
Yes. Individuals must raise a minimum of $100 US (approx $120 New Zealand). Teams of 2-3 must raise a minimum of $250 US (approx $300 New Zealand) and teams of 4 or more must raise a minimum of $500 US (approx $600 New Zealand). However, raising this money means participants are excused the registration fee.

Can I pledge money to the Gravity Gives Project without jumping?
Yes. You can support someone else who is planning to jump.

When do I pledge my money?
You must pledge your money online at www.gravitygivesproject.com by 20 April 2012 if you are paying by cheque. If you are paying online then you have right up until the jumper has jumped.

Is Gravity Gives Project keeping a percentage of donations?
No. The Board of Directors for the Gravity Gives Project as well as the Founder do not get paid any salary and are strictly volunteers. Any operational or promotional costs will be covered by sponsorships.

Save the Children

Save the Children New Zealand
Save the Children New Zealand is here to give children and young people a voice in New Zealand. We also work to improve the lives of children in the Pacific and in Asia. We help build locally sustainable solutions with a particular emphasis on health and education. And we raise money to protect children facing extreme adversity or in and after emergencies. We have been working in New Zealand for over 60 years.

Visit our website for further information www.savethechildren.org.nz

Save the Children
Save the Children works to create a better future for children. Our vision is “a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation”.

To this end Save the Children works in 119 countries around the world. Our key areas of work include:
• child protection
• child rights
• education
• help in emergencies
• health and nutrition
• HIV and AIDS.

www.savethechildren.org

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