Lion Foundation $1 million grant supports Families

The Lion Foundation $1 million grant supports Kiwi families

More New Zealand families will have access to Plunket support and education thanks to a $1 million grant from The Lion Foundation.

All 18 Plunket areas will share in the funding which will be used to cover expenses nationwide including new car seats for Car Seat Rental Schemes, resources for playgroups, and staff for extra home visiting support and services provided by Family Centres such as breastfeeding support. Of the grant, $75,000 represents a significant contribution towards the rebuild of Napier’s Family Centre.

The grant will contribute funds towards paying part of the salaries of more than 90 staff members, enabling Plunket to continue to work with New Zealand families and communities.

“Working together with Plunket is very important to The Lion Foundation” says Phil Holden, CEO of The Lion Foundation.

“The services and support the organisation provides make a tangible difference to New Zealanders across the country and we know that our support will directly benefit local communities and local families.

Our role is about making a difference and being able to fund Plunket to this level will help them to support many more young lives, to promote positive parenting nationally, and help to make families stronger; which we feel is critically important to the welfare of our country.”

Jenny Prince, Plunket CEO, says Plunket is delighted with the grant, which will enable more support to be delivered to families identified as being in the greatest need.

“This generous grant from The Lion Foundation will allow us to move forward and continue our work in New Zealand communities towards Plunket’s vision; ‘Together, the best start for every child’.”

Previous funding from The Lion Foundation contributed to Plunket being able to support and assist the families of the more than 90 per cent of newborn babies in New Zealand it sees in a year.

In 2008/2009 Plunket:
- Saw more than 57,000 babies
- Had 753,752 total contacts with parents and whānau
- Had 581,139 face-to-face Well Child/Tamariki Ora contacts

ENDS

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