Free community day in Christchurch kicks off Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2016

A free community day is being held on Saturday 3 September at Linwood Avenue Primary School from 10 am – 2 pm, to kick off Gambling Harm Awareness Week for 2016.

Gamblefree Community Day 2016 is a free family event being hosted by the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF) and the Salvation Army Oasis Centre, with support from Choice Not Chance and the Gambling Helpline.

Diane Matthews, Counsellor and Health Promoter at the Problem Gambling Foundation, says the event is to raise awareness about the harms from gambling in our communities and to promote health and wellbeing.

“This event allows us to have conversations about harmful gambling in our communities. We'll be celebrating healthy families and the role of whanau in protecting our loved ones from harmful gambling,” she says.

Gambling Harm Awareness Week is from 5 September to 11 September and has superseded Gamblefree Day which was traditionally held on 1 September. Events and activities will take place around the country during this week.

Gamblefree Community Day 2016 will feature entertainment, prizes, music, a bouncy castle and scavenger hunt, as well as information stalls.

“We have some great local entertainment and plenty of family-friendly activities. It’s great to be working alongside the Salvation Army Oasis Centre this year and hope that people will come along and enjoy the day,” Diane says.

Visitors to the event can expect to be entertained by the Aftershock! Quartet, Rockers of Ages, Zumba and more. Everything is free and there will be spot prizes, a sausage sizzle and hot drinks.

The event is being held on Saturday 3 September at the Linwood Avenue Primary School from 10 am until 2 pm.

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