Kids camp takes off with $30,000 Jetstar grant

7 August 2012

Auckland

Arthritis New Zealand’s kids camp takes off with $30,000 Jetstar grant

· Jetstar picks Arthritis New Zealand’s kids camp for latest community grant

· More than 1,000 Kiwi children suffer from the disease

· Next round of grant applications now open

Kiwi kids suffering from arthritis will have the chance to attend a unique camp with the support of a $30,000 grant from Jetstar’s Flying Start Programme.

More than 1,000 New Zealand children, from toddlers to teenagers, suffer from arthritis. The annual camp run by Arthritis New Zealand for the past two years offers young sufferers a chance to meet, to learn new skills and to build their confidence.

The Jetstar Flying Start Programme grant of $15,000 in flights and $15,000 in cash means many more children from around the country will have the opportunity to attend the camp in Matamata.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said the judges assessing Flying Start grant applications were moved by the stories of children who had attended the Arthritis New Zealand camp.

“To live with this disease at such a young age would be a very difficult burden for families, so supporting this camp was an easy decision to make,” said Mr Hall.

“We’re an airline that carries a lot of young families in New Zealand and through our grants we’ve so far focussed on supporting local community groups that help children and their parents.”

Arthritis New Zealand CEO Sandra Kirby said the grant from Jetstar will mean many kids who may have otherwise missed out on the 2013 camp can now be part of it.

“We get requests from families all over New Zealand who want their child to attend but getting them to the camp can really stretch our budget. We’ve had to make some tough calls,” Ms Kirby said.

”With the flights and cash from Jetstar we can now help many more kids suffering from this debilitating disease.”

Flying Start judge and rugby league legend Steve Price also suffers from arthritis after years of on-field tackling.

“The camp is a chance for children to take a break from what can be a very limiting condition. These kids are inspirational and the work that Arthritis New Zealand is doing deserves our support,” said Mr Price.

Jetstar has so far awarded $60,000 of $120,000 through its Flying Start Programme in 2012. Auckland-based charity Bellyful received the first grant in April and is using it to provide more home cooked meals to young families struggling with a new baby across New Zealand. Applications for the third grant round close at 5.00pm (NZST) on 31 August 2012 and application details can be found here.

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