Kiwi sports heroes answer Coastguard’s MayDay Call

Kiwi sports heroes answer Coastguard’s MayDay Call

Auckland, 1 May 2014 - Today Coastguard launches its fourth annual MayDay fundraising appeal, to raise much-needed money for its vital volunteer training programme.

This year alone, over 2,400 volunteers will give more than 307,000 hours of their time and rescue more than 7,000 people on behalf of Coastguard, the charity that provides New Zealand’s primary maritime search and rescue service.

Former All Blacks coach and keen fisherman, Sir Graham Henry, has resumed his role as Ambassador for the Appeal, which is calling on Kiwis to donate one hour of their pay through www.hourforcoastguard.co.nz. In addition, Kiwi yachtsmen Dean Barker and Grant Dalton have come on board to show their support and help share the ‘Hour for Coastguard’ message.

Sir Graham commented, “The money raised during the MayDay Appeal will be used to train the charity’s volunteers who play a critical role in its ongoing mission to save lives at sea. These volunteers, who make up Coastguard’s rescue crews, are local people with regular jobs and families who give up their evenings and weekends to train. If you donate just one hour of your pay, you’ll be helping Coastguard volunteers do their job.”

Jo Ralph from Wellington, witnessed first-hand the role the Coastguard volunteers play after they rescued her daughter, Cassandra, when she got into difficulty at Waikanae Beach. Cassandra’s kayak overturned tipping her into freezing cold waters, 200 metres off the beach. Unable to clamber on top, she was submerged in icy water. “Coastguard helped save my daughter’s life, I can’t thank them enough,” Mrs Ralph said.

Chief Executive Officer of Coastguard New Zealand, Patrick Holmes explains, “Coastguard units nationwide will be fundraising during the whole of May, and donations to the MayDay Appeal will help us ensure we can continue to provide our volunteers with the skills they need to tackle life-threatening situations on the water, and bring Kiwis home safely.

“By visiting www.hourforcoastguard.co.nz you can quickly and easily donate the equivalent of an hour’s pay, helping local volunteers save lives in your local community,” adds Patrick Holmes.

The MayDay Appeal continues throughout the month of May with water safety packs of Hutchwilco lifejackets and Century batteries up for grabs by supporters and listeners on RadioLIVE.

HOW TO DONATE:

Please donate an hour of your pay by visiting www.hourforcoastguard.co.nz
or you can
• Make an automatic $25 donation by calling 0900 SOS SOS (0900 767 767)
• Make a direct credit into the Coastguard ASB Account 12-3209-0434030-01 (reference MayDay and your SURNAME)
• Send a cheque to ‘Coastguard New Zealand’ at PO Box 33559, Takapuna, Auckland 0740
• Call in to your local ASB to make a donation – remember to tell them it’s for Coastguard’s MayDay Appeal
• Support your local Coastguard Unit at www.givealittle.co.nz/event/Mayday2014 (click on “Fundraisers” to choose the unit you wish to support)

About Coastguard New Zealand:
Coastguard is the charity that provides New Zealand’s primary maritime search and rescue service. The organisation operates from a network of four regions and 71 affiliated units, located around the coastline and major lakes of New Zealand. Coastguard New Zealand is a volunteer organisation with a charitable status. It has more than 2,400 active search and rescue Volunteers who provide over 307,000 hours of their time each year to educate, protect and help save lives at sea. Coastguard performs over 3,000 rescues each year assisting more than 7,000 New Zealanders. There are currently 78 dedicated rescue vessels in Coastguard’s fleet, 10 air patrol units and one dedicated communications unit. All crew members on board Coastguard vessels and air patrol craft are trained search and rescue personnel working to enhance the safety of all New Zealanders when they participate in boating and water activities.

ENDS

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