Hutt Valley set to celebrate White Ribbon Day - 25 November 2010
Hutt Valley residents are being encouraged to turn out in force at upcoming White Ribbon Day events later this month.
White Ribbon Day is an annual event, celebrated on the 25th of November. White Ribbon is a campaign led by men, to show they oppose any form of violence against women.
The Hutt Valley Family Violence Network has organised a series of events to mark White Ribbon Day, including a Hot Rod Run, from Mitre 10 Mega Upper Hutt to Mitre 10 Mega Petone, where 50 V8 hot rods and customised cars will participate to show their support for the White Ribbon campaign.
The Network spokesperson, Detective Constable Mick Eckersley of the Lower Hutt Police says, "We would like as many Hutt Valley hot rod and modified car enthusiasts to take an hour or two out of their day on the 25th of November and take part in the rally, which will be led by a Police motorcade."
The rally will be opened at 9 o'clock by Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy and will arrive at Mitre 10 Mega Petone at 11o'clock, with performances by P.A.T.U (Police and Tamariki Unite), musician Kim Potter and John Hickson aka MC Choir Boy.
Other events marking White Ribbon Day in the Hutt Valley include a Pomare Community Breakfast and March from 8:30am, which will be attended by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia. A Jackson Street Luncheon and walk in Petone gets underway at 11:30am. The Wainuiomata Carnival on Saturday 20th November at Wainuiomata Marae is also a White Ribbon Day event as is the Naenae Cultural Festival at Hillary Court on the 27th of November.
On the evening of White Ribbon Day, a fundraising event organised by Taiohi Morehu Rangatahi is being held at Silverstream Retreat from 7pm.
Taiohi Morehu Rangatahi leaders group is made up of senior students from local colleges including Taita, Heretaunga, St Bernards and Upper Hutt, who are celebrating a violence free community.
"In the Hutt Valley, like many other parts of New Zealand, we are seeing high numbers of family violence incidents each month. The HVFVN was established in April this year, following a community hui where 80 agencies attended, who are now collectively working together towards the common goal of a violence free Hutt Valley."
The HVFVN includes partners such as Kokiri and Hutt City Women's Refuge, Strengthening Families, Hutt Women's Refuge, Hutt Safe City Group, Hutt Union and Community Health, CYFs, Relationship Services, Birthright, Bernardos, Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Letts laywers and the New Zealand Police.