FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

5th September 2012

Hope goes walking

New Zealand residential care program, A Girl Called Hope, is hosting a nationwide 5km fundraising walk to raise funds for the care of women facing issues such as abuse, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, addictions and unplanned pregnancy.

Aptly named, ‘Walk for Hope’; the event will see New Zealanders donning their walking shoes to help young Kiwi women on the road to recovery from life-controlling issues.

The walk was successfully kicked off in Whangarei in July , and will also be held in Auckland and Wellington in September . October sees the last of the walks for the year in Blenheim, Tauranga and Christchurch.

Over the past eight years the fundraiser has successfully raised more than $240,000 for the charity. Executive Director Kerry Petrie says the walk is a fantastic opportunity for Kiwis to directly help young New Zealand women. “Although it can be difficult to walk a mile in the shoes of person suffering from a life-controlling issue, we all want to be able to do something to help.

This is a relatively short walk and the funds raised through sponsorship will go a long way towards helping our young women reach their full potential in life,” she says.

With more than 1000 people expected to participate in the event, funds are raised through a modest registration fee and participants finding people to sponsor their walk. All proceeds will go directly towards the operating costs of the 100 per cent privately funded Auckland-based residential care programme.

“I really encourage everyone who can to participate in the Walk for Hope knowing that every sponsorship dollar you raise will directly help transform lives and restore hope.”

Register for the Whangarei Walk for Hope or make a donation by visiting www.agirlcalledhope.org.nz

ENDS

‘Walk for Hope’

Saturday July 28

Whangarei

Saturday September 22

Auckland (5 and10km option)

Saturday September 29

Wellington (5 and10km option)

Saturday October 13

Blenheim

Sunday October 14

Tauranga

Sunday October 27

Christchurch

About A Girl Called Hope

A Girl Called Hope is a non–profit organisation working with young women who face life–controlling issues, such as abuse, addictions, depression, eating disorders, self-harm and unplanned pregnancy. We exist to provide a future full of hope and potential to every young woman – to show them that they are valued, purposed and above all have a reason to live. Our goal is to see young women restored to full health; to discover the purpose for their lives and bring value to their world as productive and thriving individuals. Executive Director Kerry Petrie says; “ A Girl Called Hope aims to address the whole person: spiritual, physical and emotional and social. Our goal is to have each young woman not only complete the programme but also discover the purpose for her life and bring value to her community as a productive citizen.”

A Girl Called Hope provides counselling services based on Christian values, training in life principals, social skills, nutrition and fitness, and is free-ofcharge to women aged 16 to 28 years from around the country. The voluntary programme typically lasts six months.

© Scoop Media