Media Release
27 February 2018


New donation technology to boost Northern surf clubs

Members of the public wanting to donate to lifeguards on Northern Region beaches will be able to do so with a flick of the wrist shortly.

The Lifesavers Foundation, has begun rolling out a series of “point tap” donation machines at popular cafes and other high foot-traffic retail premises in the region.

The Lifesavers Foundation was set up earlier this year to raise funds for the region’s surf clubs to ensure they continue to have access to vital funds to grow and development the movement. Foundation Chief Executive Dave Lockwood says countertop machines will be available at stores and retailers across the Northern Region over the next few months, making it accessible for any of the public to donate.

“For only $2, and two seconds of your time, the public can make a meaningful contribution to the lifeguards ensuring they have the support they need. I am excited to bring this opportunity to New Zealand’s fundraising market and to be supporting such a worthy cause.”

Dave says the Foundation needs to raise around $250,000 before next summer. “Our first mission is to fund a $200,000 upgrade of the Digital Radio Network (DRN) connecting the 17 clubs to SLSNR’s communications hub, Surf Com, at the Marine Rescue Centre in Mechanics Bay. The DRN is to lifesavers what the 111 emergency telephone number is to the public and emergency services.”

SLSNR Chief Executive Matt Williams is pleased to have the professional support of the Foundation, which he sees as filling a vital place in the funding system for the movement in the region. “As many people are now aware, the funding model for surf life saving isn’t coping with the demands on our lifeguards and we needed to find other ways to meet our costs.

“The Foundation is a opportunity to ensure all facets of the community have opportunity and access to fund vital surf life saving outcomes. For Surf Life Saving Northern Region it allows us to focus our limited resources on our core business of supporting volunteers, building thriving clubs, and educating the public, in the knowledge that the fundraising needs of the organisation are being well serviced by experienced leaders.”

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