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World’s Biggest Waterslide Fundraiser

Kiwi Entrepreneur Eric Watson Puts World’s Biggest Waterslide Fundraiser Over the Top!

Following a call-out to the New Zealand public to help them raise $100,000 in just six days to build the World’s Biggest Waterslide 2.0, depression charity ‘Live More Awesome’ were last night celebrating after receiving a call from kiwi businessman and entrepreneur, Eric Watson offering them a $50,000 donation to help them make up their shortfall.

The donation ensures the waterslide can go ahead and Live More Awesome co-founder Jimi Hunt says they couldn’t be happier.

“Its such a huge weight off our shoulders! As of 4pm last night [Friday] we weren’t sure if we were going to make it on time. We were at $47,174 but it was climbing slowly.

“When Eric called my heart jumped into my mouth,” says Hunt. “He thinks it’s a superb initiative to raise awareness of depression and a great piece of kiwi ingenuity.

“Its kind of a validation for us really. We’ve worked really hard to try and help people with depression and unfortunately it seems some of our lost sponsorship opportunities are due to the fact that we’re talking about mental health issues. Well guess what? They are issues, we need to talk about them and we’re pretty bloody happy Eric has decided to help us do it.

“We’ve got the money we need and its full steam ahead from here!”

Through his co-ownership of the Warriors rugby league club Watson has a relationship with KidsCan, a charity supporting disadvantaged kiwi kids. As a result, 50 KidsCan families will be gifted their own special day on the waterslide. Schedules permitting, Watson also hopes the Warriors will be able to join them.

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Eric says, “All around the world countries are not good at talking about mental illnesses so to have such a fun activity making headlines internationally that is associated with depression is a great thing for raising awareness. I'm thrilled KidsCan families will benefit also, the Warriors have a great relationship with them and I know the families will have a great day on the slide.

"I congratulate Jimi and Dan on what they are doing, it's a great Kiwi initiative that deserved backing. The world needs people like those two - it's what sets us Kiwis apart from the rest of the world. It's that pie in the sky idea becoming a reality through perseverance and hard work."

KidsCan CEO Julie Chapman is thrilled that 50 families from the schools they support will have the opportunity to experience the slide.

“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of them and its fantastic that two New Zealand charities could come together to put smiles on the faces of so many.”

The goal of the World’s Biggest Waterslide 2.0 is to create as much public awareness as possible for depression and mental health issues as well as acting as a fundraising platform for Live More Awesome’s mental health initiatives for home, work and schools.

According to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, 1 in 5 New Zealanders will suffer from a mental health condition in a given year. This is a reported statistic although with the stigma associated with mental illness the real numbers are thought to be much higher.

To purchase a ticket go to www.worldsbiggestwaterslide.com


-ENDS-

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