online auction just one of the initiatives to support walk for hector dolphins

An online auction of some of the best travel activities in the South Island has been organised by Black Cat Cruises to support fifteen year old Christchurch school girl Aescleah Hawkin’s campaign to raise awareness and funds for the endangered Hector’s dolphin.

“When Ashley approached Black Cat to support her walk from Christchurch to Akaroa to raise money and awareness for Hector's dolphins, we jumped at the chance,” Black Cat Cruises managing Director Paul Bingham said.

“Ashley is passionate about wildlife and dolphins and wanted to do something to help.”

Bingham is one of twelve Christchurch residents who will walk 42 kilometres from Christchurch to Akaroa between the 5th and 7th of March in an attempt to raise $30,000 for World Wildlife Hector’s dolphin conservation efforts.

To raise money for the walk for hectors fund, Bingham has organised an on line auction of some of the best travel activities in the South Island, including ballooning, whale watching, cruises in Milford and Akaroa and Lyttelton and other wildlife experiences.

“It is a chance to get a great deal to experience some fantastic activities and help out New Zealand's own Hector's dolphins at the same time,” he said.

Black Cat Cruises are also supporting the walk by donating transport for all 12 walkers from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour and Akaroa to Wainui. The company also has donation boxes on its vessels and in its retail shops.

Bingham stresses that more people should know the story about Hector's dolphins and their fight for survival. Fewer than 7000 of New Zealand's only native dolphins exist making them an endangered species.

“There are about 7,000 Hector's dolphins around New Zealand with 1000 making their home around Banks Peninsula. Although there is a marine mammal sanctuary around Banks Peninsula the population of dolphins is still reducing by about one percent per year. With adequate steps we can not only arrest this decline but see the dolphins come back to their historic high numbers. Its estimated there once was as many as 30,000 Hectors around New Zealand.”

Auction site www.blackcat.co.nz/walkforhectors.html
Donations at www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/BlackCat

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For more information please contact:
Paul Bingham
Black Cat Cruises Managing Director
0274 951 110
www.blackcat.co.nz

John McKenzie
enthuse ltd
021 384 730
03 384 7338