NEWS RELEASE

29 February 2008

A Red Cross Breakfast For Porirua

New Zealand Red Cross is helping to deliver a kick start to the learning day for students at Porirua's Russell School thanks to the Red Cross Breakfast in Schools programme.

Supported by Countdown supermarkets, the programme offers all decile one primary school across the country the opportunity to offer their students, some who may arrive hungry, a healthy start to their learning day.

Russell School principal Alistair Hudson says the school is excited about the introduction of the New Zealand Red Cross programme and the benefits it will have for their students.

"At the moment we have kids coming to school hungry and research shows that children don't learn as well when they are hungry. In our community there are many social issues that impact on the lives of our students. We're in the business of learning and believe the breakfast programme can help encourage a better learning environment for our students," says Mr Hudson.

Russell School is the most recent school to adopt the programme and is the first school in the Wellington region to offer it. Since its introduction in May last year, 26 schools are now taking part in the programme, amounting to 500 children on average per day taking the opportunity to start their day in a healthy way with breakfast at school.

Countdown supermarkets provide the breakfast food which includes cereal, toast and a hot drink, at no charge to the schools. New Zealand Red Cross is responsible for the administration of the programme and assists with recruiting and training volunteers.

Ends

RUSSELL SCHOOL WILL HOST AN OFFICIAL LAUNCH EVENT ON MONDAY 3 MARCH. Media wishing to attend are asked to register with Kelly Mitchell before 5pm on Friday 29 February.

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