4 June 2009                                                                                                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AXA’s Charitable Hearts in Action

Wellington charities will have an extra set of helping hands over the next week with AXA New Zealand staff volunteering throughout the city.

“This is all part of our annual ‘AXA Hearts in Action Challenge’ with our staff getting out there and helping New Zealanders who need it most,” says Brenda Callear, Head of AXA New Zealand’s Hearts in Action programme.

“We have a full schedule of events planned. Around 100 AXA New Zealand staff will be participating in the challenge assisting Ronald McDonald House, He Huarahi Tamariki School, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, Wellington City Mission and Mary Potter Hospice.

Kicking off tomorrow, Friday 5 June, AXA New Zealand staff will be out in force collecting for the Ronald McDonald Street Appeal. Then on Sunday they’ll be cooking dinner for families at Ronald McDonald House.

On Monday 8 June, AXA opens its doors to students from He Huarahi Tamariki School – a school that caters specifically for teenage parents allowing them to complete their education during their pregnancy and post-childbirth. These students will be given a taste of life at AXA New Zealand and have the opportunity to work alongside staff in the Contact Centre and administration areas.

Wednesday will see the AXA volunteers assisting the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind with its marketing and fundraising efforts while on Friday 12 June the team will be hosting a mid-winter feast at the Wellington City Mission. To finish the challenge week a quiz night will be held on Friday to raise much needed funds for Mary Potter Hospice.

AXA’s Hearts in Action charity programme has been running in New Zealand since 1999.  During that time AXA employees have assisted more than 50 charities around New Zealand.

“Last year our staff completed over 600 hours of voluntary work with charities in the local community. In addition to our time, AXA’s annual grants provide financial assistance to charitable organisations with the focus of very sick and disadvantaged children, poverty and homelessness,” says Mrs Callear.

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