Child cancer appeal returns

The Child Cancer Foundation is urging Kiwis to still make a donation after cancelling their 2022 Street Appeal due to health and safety concerns for volunteers amid the growing Covid Omicron outbreak.

The Street Appeal is the foundation’s biggest fundraising event of the year, and cancelling it risks losing around $300,000 in vital donated funds to support Kiwi kids with cancer, the foundation says.

That’s why it is asking Kiwis to make a donation this month through its website or by texting CHILD to 3457 to give $3.

Every week in Aotearoa, three families are told the heartbreaking news that their child has cancer.

The Child Cancer Foundation provides them with one-to-one emotional and practical support every step of the way.

The foundation is currently actively supporting 369 families, with more than 1300 receiving ongoing peer-to-peer support through their nationwide

Whānau Connect Groups.

That’s why it needs Kiwis to donate this month, to support the vital work it does.

The event was scheduled to take place nationwide on Friday and Saturday,

March 11 and 12, with thousands of volunteers signed up to collect donations to support Kiwi kids with cancer and their families.

‘‘Our top priority is to protect our incredible volunteers, as well as the general public, which means we cannot safely go ahead with our street collection,’’ says Child Cancer Foundation chief executive, Monica Briggs.

‘‘However, it is a devastating blow to our means of supporting tamariki and whānau impacted by childhood cancer.’’

The cancelled Street Appeal is the latest obstacle after what has already been a challenging year for the foundation.

The impact of Covid-19 on families dealing with childhood cancer has caused an increased need for the foundation’s support services, it says.

However, gathering restrictions have forced many fundraisers to cancel their events which normally fund the foundation’s vital support services.

‘‘That’s why the tamariki and whānau we support need your help now more than ever,’’ says Briggs.

‘‘We don’t receive any charitable funding from the government, so we rely on the generosity of our fellow Kiwis to help these families. Instead of giving to one of our volunteers out on the streets, please help us urgently fill our virtual buckets this March.’’

❚ Donate now at childcancer.org.nz or text CHILD to 3457 to give $3.