Volunteers needed to shake buckets for domestic abuse charity

Every 6 minutes the New Zealand Police answer a domestic abuse callout. Every 5 weeks, a New Zealand child is killed by a family member. These statistics are shocking, that’s why domestic abuse charity Shine is calling on volunteers to help make a change.

Shine (Safer Homes in New Zealand Everyday) is looking for volunteers who will take to the streets of Auckland during March, the charity’s 25th anniversary and biggest annual appeal. The appeal raises much needed funds to help the adult and child victims of domestic abuse to get safe and stay safe through Shine’s services.

A former victim who stayed at the Shine refuge after fleeing from her extremely violent partner recalls what it’s like to receive help during her time of distress:

“My time at the refuge was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. I got thinner and thinner. I cried every day. My hair fell out in clumps. But the staff had seen it all before, they reassured me that I would be OK and they were there whenever I needed them. They kept me going when I wanted to give up. They came with me for the heart-wrenching three-day court hearing when members of my own family stood against me in court. … I had such incredible support from the women at Shine who had such knowledge and professionalism and kindness and humour. There’s just no way I would have got through this without them.”

Shine’s street collectors should have good communication skills, have own transport to their collection site, be trustworthy and reliable, and believe in what we do.

The appeal runs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in March – all over Auckland.

Go to www.2shine.org.nz/volunteer-for-shine to register or to donate.

ENDS

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