Heads Up for Kids builds momentum

Press Release December 2010

Rare and unusual coins, medals and even a token for a US “pleasure palace” have turned up in the Lions Clubs New Zealand Heads Up for Kids campaign to collect old and foreign currencies to benefit young people.

Launched on the 10th of July this year Lions have now raised more than $100,000, by asking people to dig out and donate their old NZ coins, banknotes and any foreign currency and deliver it to Resene ColorShops and retailers throughout the country.

Above photo taken at A W Fraser, foundry Christchurch - the furnace operator's name is Jo Catchillar

Tonne of foreign coins with Lions Club member Roy Peterson ('Head Coin Counter') and Resene's Audrey Hanlon in Naenae before shipping the coins offshore.

All copper halfpennies, pennies and cents are ending up at A W Fraser’s Christchurch foundry for recycling and, a tonne of old currency has been taken to the Reserve Bank to be redeemed dollar for dollar and a tonne of foreign currency is being shipped offshore. Any old or collectable notes or coins are being sold to coin collectors.

Waiapu & Districts Lion, Marion Andrews, discovered a 1752 Franc note, and Jan Moulder of Dannevirke Resene uncovered an 1860 American dollar and couldn’t believe people once carried these large coins about in their pockets. Other collectibles include a commemorative Rouble from the USSR 1980 Olympic Games and mint sets from a number of countries; Canada, Egypt and Tuvalu.

Heads Up for Kids will continue to collect coins well into 2011 with the flow of coins continuing to increase.

In appealing for support for the campaign Project Chairman Simon Hayes said: “Old obsolete currency is sitting in drawers and cupboards in most households. We can turn it around into life changing experiences for young people wanting to go to places like Outward Bound, Spirit of Adventure and Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre”.

ENDS

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