www.redcross.org.nz
NEWS RELEASE

19 January 2011

RED CROSS SENDS SECOND TEAM TO AUSTRALIA

A second four person team of New Zealand Red Cross staff will be leaving for Brisbane tomorrow (Thursday 20 January) to continue working with Australian Red Cross to help people re-build their lives after the floods.

National Operations Manager Wendy Potter, Taranaki Area Manager Karen Lawson, lower North Island Emergency Management Officer Graeme Brown and Business Advisor Jane Booth will be briefed this afternoon (Wednesday 19 January) and will leave Wellington tomorrow morning.

Patrick Cummings (Hamilton) and Nancy Kareroa (Whangarei), who have been in Helidon, in the Lockyer Valley (about 120km inland from Brisbane) since last Saturday and fellow team members Sally Wast (Invercargill) and Graeme Langford (Auckland) who worked in Brisbane, will be returning to New Zealand on Monday.

New Zealand Red Cross International Operations Manager Andrew McKie said “We will continue to support our colleagues at the Australian Red Cross in making a difference to the lives of vulnerable people who have lost their homes or loved ones.”

“Sending staff to Australia has been a good opportunity for us to revise our plans and better prepare for what we will do if a disaster hits New Zealand,” he said.

Generous New Zealander’s have already given over $32,000 to the Australian Floods Fund. Donations are being accepted to the New Zealand Red Cross Australian Floods Fund in several ways:

• Text "Flood" to 336 to donate $3. Texts are free from New Zealand Telecom, Vodafone or 2degree phones.
• Make a secure online donation to the Australian Floods Fund at www.redcross.org.nz/donate
• Send a cheque (made payable to: New Zealand Red Cross) to: Red Cross Australian Floods Fund, Freepost 232690, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144.
• Donate at Kiwibank, ANZ, ASB, BNZ, National or TSB branches.
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Donations will go directly to the Australian Red Cross to help support their flood response work.

Please note that Red Cross is only able to accept financial donations. Unsolicited or unwanted goods and services can create delays and distract relief staff and resources from more important or relevant tasks.

For more information contact:
New Zealand Red Cross National Marketing and Communications Manager Paul Scoringe on 04 495 0139 or 027 287 9335

ENDS

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