Volunteers Join Legs to Help Children

15/06/2018

Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes but these come as a team of four joined together.

Team Limit Zero, Chris Simcock, Blair Williamson, Nick Pope, Sean Bagnall, all from Christchurch, are supporting Save the Children NZ by running the 42km Volkswagen Wellington Marathon on Sunday 1 July with their ankles tied together.

“Last year we raised over $11,000 for Save the Children NZ (SCNZ) by running the Queen Charlotte Track on the shortest day of the year, said Chris. “This year we wanted to take on a harder challenge, which is where the five-legged race came in. We’ve partnered with SCNZ again with the aim of raising $10,000 to help children affected by the Rohingya crisis.”

Save the Children NZ Chief Executive, Heidi Coetzee said, “We want to say a big thank you to all our volunteers during National Volunteer Week. We really value their contribution which enables us to improve the lives of disadvantaged children around the world.”

National Volunteer Week runs from 17-23 June and celebrates the 1.2 million Kiwis who volunteer their time and skills to our communities every year. The theme this year is Volunteers - Heart of our Community, which captures the essence of what volunteering is about; how their efforts, compassion and time provide a significant contribution, enriching communities.

Chris said, “The team’s been practising on a regular basis but are finding it to be slow going. We are sure though by the time of the race we’ll be able to complete the 42km. We’re not aiming for a fast time, just to complete the race and to support a very worthwhile cause.”

Since August 2017, approximately 671,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh. Save the Children are on the ground in Cox’s Bazar, providing vital services like drinking water, food, shelter and child protection services. There is an urgent need for more shelter, food, clean drinking water, hygiene and sanitation support as well as educational material for displaced children.

Ms Coetzee said, “It’s very heartening to see members of our community raising vital funds and awareness for our projects. The funds raised will help buy much needed education material for children in the refugee camps. We wish them well in their challenge on 1 July.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media