Save the Children New Zealand launches annual appeal to save children's lives
Tuesday 21 September 2010, 9:30PM
By Save the Children New Zealand
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Save the Children’s annual appeal begins throughout New Zealand next Tuesday 28 September until Monday 4 October to help reduce the number of children dying before their 5th birthday from completely preventable causes.
“Today more than 22,000 children will die around the world from completely preventable deaths caused by a small number of diseases and conditions including pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, and measles. EVERY ONE that is Save the Children’s largest ever global campaign to save these children’s lives,” says Liz Gibbs, CEO for Save the Children New Zealand.
Save the Children’s EVERY ONE Campaign directly supports Millennium Development Goal 4 – to reduce the total number of children dying before their 5th birthday by two-thirds by 2015.
“The world stopped children dying from basic illnesses in rich countries a century ago, and now our goal is to end it for good in poor countries too. EVERY ONE can put an end to these needless deaths of children,” says Ms Gibbs.
“Our annual appeal is focused on ‘play’ – in some of the poorest countries around the world children are unable to play because they are fighting just to survive. Rather than feel overwhelmed, New Zealanders can do something. Celebrate play, celebrate healthy children and at the same time do something to save children’s lives.”
Playing your part can be as easy as organising a fun game or event in your local community and donating the entry fee, hosting a games night at home and asking your friends to donate the cost of a night out, or running 10km and collecting sponsorship.
Save the Children New Zealand has made a special EVERY ONE yo-yo that is available for $5 from Save the Children shops and at www.do1thing.org.nz
Every yo-yo sold will help fund healthcare and nutrition for children in the world’s poorest countries and $1 from every sale will be directed to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal for children here at home in New Zealand.
Save the Children is organising an official attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for Simultaneous Yo-Yo: Friday 1st October 2010 at the Michael Fowler Centre from 12noon to 1pm.