Media release
Ray of Sunshine for New Zealand Down Syndrome Association
It’s not often the public gets the chance to give someone else’s money away to charity, but New Zealanders have done just that for the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA), with a helping hand from Sovereign Sunshine.
The NZDSA, whose Auckland branch is based in Onehunga, today became the first New Zealand children’s charity to receive funding from the unique new scheme, which is backed by Kiwi actress and mother or two, Greer Robson. Sovereign Sunshine exists to help under-resourced children’s charities to raise their profile in their local community and provides them with funding.
The NZDSA was chosen to receive the first portion of funding following a national public vote held at the charity portal www.sovereignsunshine.co.nz. The charity will receive $13,930, made up of a lump sum donation from Sovereign and dollar-for-dollar matched fundraising by staff.
The money will be spent on a national project aimed at helping young people with Down syndrome as well as their families to plan for a significant life change. Zandra Vaccarino, national executive officer for the NZDSA, says:
“We want to commend Sovereign for this great initiative, without their innovation and support we could not have got this vital project underway.
“The project will provide young people and their family/whanau with the knowledge, information and skills they need to transition from school.”
“We also want to thank everybody who voted for us, in this case their vote really has made a big difference to people with Down syndrome and their families.”
Down syndrome is a life-long condition that causes delays in learning and development, and cannot be cured. However problems can be eased with the right support. Jenny Harkins is regional representative for NZDSA. Her daughter, Laura, is also approaching school leaving age. She says:
“The thought of what happens when Laura finishes school is always on my mind. Transition from school can be a difficult time for parents so this project will be invaluable to our young adults and their families. They will be able to access information, meet other young people and make choices for living and employment in a
supported environment.”
Sovereign Sunshine ambassador, Greer Robson, adds:
“Sovereign Sunshine is the only initiative geared at helping grassroots children’s charities like the NZDSA in this way.”
A recent survey by Sovereign showed that smaller charities are under-resourced, and often struggle to obtain funding.
“The Sovereign Sunshine website allows them to raise their profile, seek out volunteers, receive direct donations from the public, as well as giving them the chance to obtain some much-needed funding from Sovereign,” Greer adds.
Sovereign Sunshine is a one-stop-shop for helping smaller, under-resourced children’s charities to survive and thrive. The initiative was launched following a recent survey, which revealed small charities are finding it much harder to fundraise.
Each month the initiative focuses on a different charity group. The featured group for the month of June is ‘learning-related disorders’. The six short-listed charities for this next funding round are:
- The Gifted Kids Programme
- Autism New Zealand Inc
- Seabrook McKenzie Trust for Specific Learning Disabilities
- New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association
- Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand
- NZ Epilepsy Assist Dog Trust
To learn more about your local children’s charities, or to vote, log onto www.sovereignsunshine.co.nz
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
Sovereign is one of New Zealand’s largest insurance, investment and home loan companies. It has pledged $180,000 in the first year of the scheme to children’s charities, with its staff holding monthly fundraisers on what’s become known as Sunshine Day.
The NZDSA is a family / whanau driven non-profit organisation which provides support and information to anyone whose life has been changed by Down syndrome.
For more information, or photographs, please contact:
Vena Crawley
Head of Marketing and Product Management
Sovereign
09 487 9173
021 674 637
OR
Zandra Vaccarino
National Executive Officer
New Zealand Down Syndrome Association
DDI: 06 353 7078
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
25 June 2008
