Labour women's caucus get behind the 40 Hour Famine

Today, Labour MPs Poto Williams, Louisa Wall and Nanaia Mahuta have committed to supporting malnourished children in Bangladesh by taking part in World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine.

The 40 Hour Famine is New Zealand’s largest and longest running fundraising event. Over 120,000 participants have already registered this year and will take on a variety challenges such as no food, no talking and no technology for 40 consecutive hours.

Wall, Mahuta and Williams will forgo food to raise money for World Vision’s work in Bangladesh; a country with the highest rate of child malnutrition in the world.

On Thursday, the Labour team will shake donation buckets around parliament before taking to the streets to solicit donations from generous Wellingtonians too.

The same day, the MPs will host a lunch of traditional Bengali food at parliament for the capital’s top 40 Hour Famine fundraisers. Guests will pay what they think the meal is worth with all proceeds going to Bangladesh.

“The Labour Women’s Caucus is passionate about stamping out poverty, both in New Zealand and overseas. The 40 Hour Famine is a challenging and engaging way for thousands of Kiwis around the country to get involved in global issues and take a stand for others less fortunate than themselves,” says MP for Manurewa, Louisa Wall.

MP for Hauraki-Waikato, Nanaia Mahuta is joining the 40 Hour Famine as a way to raise awareness about the effects of poverty and malnutrition on children in Bangladesh.

“Every hour we go without food is likely to represent so many more for those children and I am happy to join Louisa and Poto in this effort."

MP for Christchurch East Poto Williams is currently in Bangladesh for a conference and will complete the 40 Hour Famine there.

“Being here in Bangladesh really drives home the need that this nation has. While we’re worlds apart, events such as the 40 Hour Famine are a great way to connect our two nations and show that we in Aotearoa have aroha for other countries.’'

Notes
The 40 Hour Famine begins at Friday 22nd May, 8pm
Members of the Labour Women’s Caucus will complete their 40 Hour Famine during the week, from 8pm Tuesday 19th May – 12pm Thursday 20th May
All funds will go to World Vision’s work in Bangladesh where an estimated eight million children are suffering from malnutrition.
$2 can buy 50 nutrient sachets to help severely malnourished children gain weight. It only takes 1 sachet a day for 12 days to make a difference.
The 40 Hour Famine has been running for 41 years in New Zealand. Over that time, more than 74 million dollars has been raised for developing nations.
For more information or interviews, please contact dominica.leonard@worldvision.org.nz on 021 904 197.

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