Media Advisory; Save the Date
19 August 2014

Kiwis take up the challenge to end extreme poverty

High profile New Zealanders have been invited to participate in Live Below the Line (LBTL). Part of a global initiative, LBTL challenges Kiwis to raise awareness of extreme poverty and to live on a daily food budget of $2.25 for five consecutive days.

From 6-10 October 2014, thousands of Kiwis will participate in New Zealand’s fourth LBTL challenge. They will be joined by more than 25,000 people from around the world who are expected to take part in the challenge.

It’s difficult to imagine all the food you can consume per day amounts to a total of just $2.25. That’s the reality for 1.2 billion people on a daily basis.

Participants can sign up on LBTL’s website and nominate the charity their sponsorship will be donated to. Oxfam, Tear Fund, World Vision, Global Poverty Project and many other charities are LBTL partners and collectively their goal is to raise $750,000 in New Zealand to tackle extreme poverty.

Consuming only $2.25 of food per day for five days is a challenge that more than 5000 everyday Kiwis have taken since 2011. Together they’ve raised $1 million dollars for crucial global and development work.

US Vice President Joe Biden has taken the challenge along with celebrities like Ben Affleck and sports stars like Jonah Lomu. Since 2011 more than 50,000 people internationally have taken the challenge and raised US$12 million for 90 charities. Consequently this has sparked millions of conversations about extreme poverty.

LBTL is an innovative global campaign that’s making a huge difference in the fight against extreme poverty and is building a movement of passionate people willing and able to make a meaningful difference to those who need it most.

Last year the 2000 New Zealand participants raised $426,000 for poverty alleviation causes and the target this year is to raise $750,000.

To participate in LBTL sign up via the website www.livebelowtheline.com/nz

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