Gumboot Up New Zealand goes viral

Kiwibank’s “I am Hope” New Zealander of the Year, Gumboot Friday, Facebook frame has gone viral.
Kiwibank wanted to show their support of Mike King’s I Am Hope charity. We came up with the idea of donating a dollar to the Gumboot Up NZ Fund for every Kiwi who added the frame to their profile picture. Gumboot Friday will raise funds to help young Kiwis get free counselling.

Kiwibank’s Brand Manager Kim Waghorn said: “The response has blown us away. We were hoping it would reach 20,000 people but we’ve already passed the 21,000 mark! It’s clear this is resonating strongly and something Kiwis really care about.

“Based on the overwhelming response, Kiwibank is committing up to $50,000 towards the cause,” Mrs Waghorn said.

Kiwbank CEO Steve Jurkovich said: “It is great to see New Zealand recognising what an important issue this. Every gesture counts.”

2019 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Mike King said: “When Kiwibank came to me and said they would donate up to $20,000 if Kiwis used the frame I was stoked. It was beyond what I thought was possible. Now they’ve said they’ll go up to $50,000, well that’s beyond what I hoped for. This is an amazing initiative – come on New Zealand, get behind it.”

Mike King won the 2019 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year and is using the platform to promote Gumboot Friday and his charity “I am Hope” which will facilitate free and timely mental health support for Kiwi kids. The first Gumboot Friday will happen on April 5, 2019.

If people are wanting to donate to the Gumboot Friday Fund via the Key to Life Trust Give-a-little Page: https://givealittle.co.nz/donate/org/keytolife. For more information visit: www.iamhope.org.nz

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