Get a ticket – thanks a million . . . dollars
Whānau whina Plunket is trying to raise $1 million to help make a difference – and needs your help. The Plunket Foundation, which raises funds for Whānau whina Plunket’s work with all pēpi, tamariki and families in need, launched a National Lottery mid year as a key fundraiser.
Former All Black coach and Plunket Foundation Trustee Sir Graham Henry is fronting the campaign.
‘‘Every $10 ticket gives you the chance to win from more than $250,000 in prizes – plus you’ll be helping Kiwi kids in need with all proceeds going towards Whānau whina Plunket services,’’ he says.
Plunket had aimed to sell tickets mainly through schools, with the support of the Association of Boys’ Schools New Zealand, but that plan has been hampered with all the Covid disruptions.
So they’re calling on everyone to get stuck in and help by buying tickets.
Whānau whina Plunket chief executive Amanda Malu says around 268,000 Kiwi children live in poverty which can severely affect their chances in life.
‘‘A lot of people don’t realise we are a charity, as well as Aotearoa’s largest support service for the health and wellbeing of children under five and their whānau. We rely on donations, partnerships and grants to help us continue to deliver our valuable services for whānau and communities around
New Zealand,’’ Malu says.
‘‘Tamariki and whānau are at the heart of Whānau whina Plunket – everything we do is centred on supporting pēpi to have the best possible start in life. With your support through the National Lottery, we can continue to deliver our services to families and whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand.’’
Henry says it is a big embarrassment in this country that 20 per cent of children are classed as disadvantaged.
‘‘We are trying to provide the finance through this lottery to turn that around. We’re aiming to sell 100,000 tickets, generating $1 million to help children and families most in need.’’
Being a lottery, there are, of course, prizes.
Top prize is a Hyundai Ionic Elite electric vehicle, a Haines Hunter sports fishing boat, luxury travel packages to iconic destinations such as Queenstown, Marlborough Sounds and Doubtful Sound, an ‘‘Ice-driving Experience,’’ and e-bikes.
‘‘Plus, our generous sponsors have donated many of the prizes, which means more of the proceeds will be helping Aotearoa’s tamariki’’ says Sir Graham. The total prize pool is up to $276,540 and includes a special bonus prize draw of $40,000 for those who buy a book of five tickets.
The national lottery tickets are on sale now and will be drawn in February.
Details
To find out more and to buy lottery tickets online, visit www.plunket.org.nz/lottery Whānau whina Plunket offers ¯ free A health and development checks, a 24/7 parenting helpline, and a range of ¯ local services doing
A everything from antenatal classes to injury prevention support. Each year Whānau
whina Plunket is in touch with around 292,000 children, has contact with around 1900 families every day and enrols around 50,000 new babies.