Issue 3 2013
Thank You
A
lthough annual appeal week may seem like a distant memory, the donations are still rolling in and we are pleased to announce we have received in excess of half a million dollars.
Two members of the Dunedin Red Cross Choir after performing for Annual Appeal.
Disaster Welfare Support Team volunteer Sue Leonard collects in Wellington.
A big thank you is extended to all members, volunteers and staff who helped make this year’s annual appeal a success. A highlight of Annual Appeal 2013 was the ‘I See Red’ schools competition. We are pleased to announce the overall competition winner was Hauraki Plains College in Ngatea with their rendition of Split Enz’s ‘I See Red’. Tim Finn visited the school on 3 July to present the trophy and watch the winning students perform his song live. Tim Finn picked Hauraki Plains as the winner because they stayed true to the melody and spirit of the song. The award for most creative video went to Clayton Park School in Manukau, Auckland. Both videos are still on the New Zealand Red Cross YouTube page for people to view. Another highlight was having our five disaster welfare support trucks out across the country. The trucks immediately increased awareness, drawing in the public to learn more about what we do. The Wellington truck was visited by TVNZ’s Breakfast show. Reporter James Ransley made the most of his visit looking through the truck, even testing out
the stretchers. National Fundraising Manager Alice Montague was interviewed and highlighted what New Zealand Red Cross does and where the money from annual appeals may be used. The truck also drew in some politicians as it headed to Parliament, with many having their photos taken alongside it including Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee. Across the country many of you got involved in different activities, from the street collection to bake sales. Abigail Hiester, Michael Nuth and Harold Chambers ran 25km from Red Rocks to Red Cross National Office raising more than $1,000.
Tim Finn poses with the winning students from Hauraki Plains College. MORE ANNUAL APPEAL PHOTOS AT
http://on.fb.me/14M6XH7
Winter Warmer Packs
Message from Jenny The 2013 Annual Appeal saw a great effort put in from all of our volunteers, members and staff. I loved being out there being amongst our enthusiastic collectors. There is always a sense of pride when you see our people out there on mass, supporting all we do. A highlight for me over the past two months has been honouring former refugees. We had a great turnout at our parliamentary luncheon hosted in conjunction with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). We heard from two former refugees Ju Nay Say and Habtom Zeru. Their stories were inspirational and it was important to remind all of those in attendance that the stories they heard were just two stories from 42.5 million displaced people around the world. Another fantastic opportunity to honour former refugees came with the welcoming of the Afghan interpreters and their families to Hamilton. The ceremonies were marked by a shared meal, speeches and waiata. It was a great event to be a part of, with the children running around full of beans. Finally, I would like you all to extend a warm welcome to our new Secretary General Tony Paine. He will join us in September, and you will hear more about him in the next edition of Link.
Jenny McMahon National President
New Zealand Red Cross Link Newsletter
Red Cross volunteer Yanni Tromp shows off the contents of the Winter Warmer Packs.
Red Cross volunteers Terry Shaw and Claudia Mason with one of the vans donated by Toyota.
Thanks Toyota Toyota New Zealand has made 15 vehicles available for use by New Zealand Red Cross. The initiative is Toyota’s way of celebrating 25 years as the number one new car sales company in New Zealand and it’s their way of saying thank you to the public. Based in Auckland, Mangere, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington and Nelson the 15 vehicles are used by retail, refugee services, national operations and national office. The vans have already been a huge help. National Refugee Services Manager Molly Kennedy says the Toyota vans are used frequently to pick up and deliver furniture needed to set up a home for a former refugee family. “Previously we have used a variety of ways to transport the quality goods donated. Sometimes volunteers used their own vehicles or hired trailers. In the areas we have vans it has become much easier,” says Molly.
Our recovery team and volunteers have been busy packing and distributing 7,500 Winter Warmer Packs across Canterbury, all of which have now been allocated. The packs have been received with open arms, a few hugs and even tears. We wanted to share with you one recipient’s kind words: “We arrived home earlier this week to find a box full of winter warmer gifts from Red Cross. Living in the red zone and awaiting CERA’s decision on our future has been extremely stressful.
Olivier Lacoua is a Red Cross runner, he set himself the massive task of running 100 marathons for Red Cross – Auckland is just one of them.
Run or walk to make a difference For the first time, New Zealand Red Cross is an official charity in this year’s Auckland marathon. With the help of runners amongst our Red Cross community we are aiming to raise $30,000. Auckland marathon runner Olivier (pictured above) was severely burnt by hot milk when he was a student. Red Cross helped him recover and assisted him to return to France, a gesture he will always remember and his motivation for running marathons. If you, or someone else in your family, want to give it a go then visit our support page or email getfundraising@redcross.org.nz to learn more about what it means to run for Red Cross. If you haven’t run a marathon before there’s no need to worry. Not only have we given you plenty of notice – the event isn’t until November – we will help you with training programmes and support along the way. VISIT THE RED CROSS SUPPORT PAGE
http://bit.ly/15kLELo
Underneath our home is liquefaction which has made our house very damp. Last winter was one bout of respiratory illness followed by another. Throughout these past three years Red Cross has been outstanding in its support to those in the red zone like ourselves. You have always been generous, helpful, compassionate and non-judgmental – there for all. Financially, emotionally, mentally and physically your organisation has been a significant support to us. We are extremely grateful and appreciative of your work.” FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
www.redcross.org.nz/canterbury/
What’s inside our Winter Warmer Packs? • Queen-sized blanket • Draught stopper • Socks, gloves and beanie • Marshmallows and hot chocolate • Packets of soup • Hand sanitizer • Thermometer • Dr Rob Gordon DVD with tips on how to cope in the third year of recovery from a disaster • Information on how to heat your home and additional support services in Canterbury
Who Am I? Olivia Cramond Communications Assistant. How long have you been with Red Cross? Since February 2012, at first just one day a week interning. What do you do? A little bit of everything. I’m here to support the communications team but I focus particularly on internal communications. And of course, I am the editor of Link! What is your favourite part of your job? Andrew McKie, shows the two books Patricia kindly gifted to Red Cross.
Caesar the ANZAC dog Caesar is a Red Cross dog from the First World War and to Patricia Stroud a part of her family history. Patricia’s great uncle was a rifleman and an ambulance driver. Caesar went with him as he carried out his duties. At night-time Caesar used his remarkable sense of smell to lead them to fallen soldiers who were still alive, enabling the stretcher carriers to know where to go. His story was told many times in Patricia’s family. In 2003, Patricia wrote the book Caesar the ANZAC Dog and earlier this year gifted New Zealand Red Cross a signed copy
enabling us to continue to share the story. Acting Secretary General Andrew McKie thanks Patricia for gifting the books, “I’ve had a read – it’s a nice little story, and a valuable addition to our archive room.” The book is written “in loving memory of Caesar, the official mascot of the 4th Battalion who served in the First World War and died in action”. “He was a mascot for so much more than just his battalion. I am sure he was a great friend and at times a comfort to our soldiers,” Patricia says.
Being a part of the Red Cross team. Everyone I work with is fantastic and extremely dedicated to the Movement and their roles. The communications team is so supportive and a wealth of knowledge; I love being a part of it. Why New Zealand Red Cross? Straight out of university it was important to me to work for a strong and reputable New Zealand organisation I could truly align with – Red Cross is all of that and more. Biggest indulgence? Rekorderlig cider on a Friday night, with fish and chips and a Crusaders game. DO YOU WANT TO NOMINATE SOMEONE WE SHOULD ALL KNOW ABOUT?
communications@redcross.org.nz
Issue 2/2013 | www.redcross.org.nz
Local Highlights
Social Media What was popular in June 2013
Jenny visits Motueka Meals on Wheels Earlier this year Jenny visited Motueka to mark the equivalent of 1,284 years of Meals on Wheels delivery by 70 drivers.
Red Cross meals on wheels volunteers (from left to right) Bronwyn Bailey, Betsy Stringer, Margaret Tapper and Jess McHardy (front).
She shared the picture on left of some team members and says, “It cannot be overstated how important all the volunteer hours that are contributed in our communities are, not only under the umbrella of Red Cross, but in all other spheres of activity.”
Twitter: New Zealand Red Cross Severe #weather continues to affect much of NZ. List of things to do to minimise risk: http://t.co/zHiblIpz4c with @NZcivildefence
Red Cross muddy maidens Nicky Nee, Tess Earl, Lisa Clarke and Kiel Buttel were the ‘muddy maidens’ participating in Canterbury’s muddy good run raising awareness for Red Cross in Rakaia. Nicky says it is a great opportunity to show that Red Cross is a fun-loving, adventurous bunch. They had a ‘blast’ and finished the course in just 1 hour, 17 minutes!
Followers: 8,507 Tess Earl (left) and Lisa Clarke (right) make their way through the mud. Photo: Paul Davenport.
Te Puke branch awards morning tea The Te Puke branch would like to congratulate the recipients of awards given out at their morning tea, with particular mention to Joan Hood and Judy Hewison (pictured) who have contributed 40 years of service each.
Photo: The Te Puke Times.
Facebook: New Zealand Red Cross #Snow and severe weather is set to hit much of NZ - stay safe and remember to top up your emergency supplies! List of things to do to prepare: http://bit.ly/18TKNY6
Forty volunteers and supporters attended the function. Between them, they have contributed 200 years of service to New Zealand Red Cross.
Honouring former refugees
World Refugee Day celebration in Wellington.
Followers: 5,346
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www.facebook.com/NewZealandRedCross www.twitter.com/NZRedCross
Where in the world are our aid workers? Taking off: Ana Zarkovic – Marshall Islands Erin O’Connor – South Sudan Deployed in response to Marshall Island drought: Dean Manderson Greg Johns Ana Zarkovic Tom McNally Currently in the field: Melanie Ogle – Kenya David Easson – Philippines Janet Askew – Lebanon Thomas McNally – Marshall Islands Chelsea Giles-Hansen – Kenya Rebecca Barrel – South Sudan Graham Duggan – Kandahar Barbara Turnbull – DPRK Glenys Ewans – DPRK Joshua Herron – Senegal Peter Winthrop – Fiji Gail Corbett – Gaza Sue Chamberlain – Timor-Leste VIEW CURRENT AID WORKERS AT
www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do
National Office
Welcoming of the Afghan Interpreters and their families in Hamilton.
PO Box 12-140, Wellington 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon Wellington Phone: 04 471 8250 Fax: 04 471 8251 Email: national@redcross.org.nz www.redcross.org.nz