Kiwi Kids in Need to Receive Much Needed Gift from Hero Ali Williams

New Zealand charity, KidsCan StandTall, are set to hand out their 50,000th raincoat with the help of All Blacks hero Ali Williams to children in need on Thursday 9th September at The Waitakere Trust Stadium.

The event will see 1,700 children from low decile New Zealand schools come together to receive their adidas All Blacks Raincoats.

As part of the event, All Black and KidsCan patron Ali Williams and ambassador Mike McRoberts will join in to help distribute the raincoats to the school children and celebrate this milestone. One lucky child has been selected to receive the 50,000th raincoat by Williams.

Williams says “Giving a child a raincoat is about so much more than just protecting them from the elements.

“It’s about giving kids the resource and the confidence to go to school and enable them to stand tall, be proud and further their education, all of which will lead us towards a better New Zealand.”

“I feel really strongly about supporting Kiwi Kids via KidsCan’s programmes which really do help kids to realise their dreams and am honoured to be here today to celebrate the 50,000th raincoat.”

KidsCan StandTall CEO, Julie Helson, adds, “So far children in 172 low decile schools across the country have benefited from the Raincoats for Kids programme and we are proud to have reached this milestone for Kiwi kids in our own backyard who are living in poverty.

“Every year in New Zealand hundreds of children are arriving at the school gates cold and wet or not at all and the raincoats we distribute have had a huge impact on children’s attendance levels at school.

“We are really happy to have the support of leaders such as Ali Williams and Mike McRoberts who are an inspiration to these children.”

KidsCan StandTall provides thousands of free adidas All Blacks raincoats to children from low income families each year, ensuring they arrive at school warm, dry and in a better position to learn. Studies evaluating the programme found giving raincoats to children at low decile schools has also boosted their self-esteem, pride in their school and attendance levels.

KidsCan StandTall are now running a direct giving programme, ‘In Our Own Backyard’, which enables New Zealander’s to sponsor Kiwi children living in poverty in our own backyard with a monthly donation of just $15 providing a raincoat, shoes, socks and food at school for one year. 100% of the money will go to support children in need. There are currently 120 schools on the KidsCan waiting list. Supporters can sign up by going to www.kidscan.org.nz.

ENDS.
Notes to Editors:

Ali Williams will be available for comment and photo opportunities by contacting Spark Activate
KidsCan StandTall CEO, Julie Helson, is available for interviews upon request by contacting Spark Activate
Media are invited to the Waitakere Trust Stadium for the event from 11.30am on Thursday 9th September 2010
Images of the event will be available immediately after the event by contacting Spark Activate
The KidsCan StandTall raincoats are made in a lightweight synthetic material and are convenient to carry in a school bag. They are designed and made by Adidas. KidsCan StandTall also successfully secured the endorsement of the New Zealand Rugby Union and as a result the All Blacks brand is on the front of the jackets.
The 50,000th raincoat distribution also coincides with KidsCan StandTall’s fifth anniversary.