Butterflies for children

Help turn a child’s life around by giving generously on Thursday, 4th March 2004, when Barnardos – the country’s leading children’s charity - holds its annual Butterfly Day street collection.

More than 2000 volunteer collectors, in urban centres and shopping malls around the country, will give out brightly coloured butterfly tattoos and stickers to all who donate money to help Barnardos support children and families in need.

“We ask the public to give generously so that Barnardos can improve the lives and prospects of disadvantaged children in New Zealand,” says Barnardos Chief Executive, Murray Edridge.

“One of the major issues we see in our work is the impact poverty has on increasing numbers of children in New Zealand. Poverty takes away children’s choices – it affects their health, their nutrition, their education, the clothes they wear, their ability to join sports and social groups and go on school trips. It increases their likelihood of being targeted by bullies or becoming bullies. It also increases their vulnerability … it makes a child’s life miserable.”

“Money raised on Butterfly Day helps fund Barnardos range of children and family support services, which aim to turn children’s lives around,” says Murray.

“These services include parent education, family support – which offers practical advice and support in times of stress, counselling, for those affected by domestic violence, abuse or relationship break-downs, and children’s supervised access – enabling children to have safe and significant contact with non-custodial parents.”

“I would ask all New Zealanders to show that they care about the prospects of our young people by giving generously.”

Barnardos is very grateful for the continued sponsorship of Shell New Zealand.

NOTE: Barnardos chose the butterfly as the symbol for its street collection appeal, because butterflies, like children go through stages of growth and are vulnerable when things go wrong. When things go right, however, both butterflies and children flourish.

For more information on the appeal visit http://www.barnardos.org.nz

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