Gallagher Chiefs supporting Variety Warm Hearts Winter Appeal
The Chiefs Rugby Club is working with Variety for the fourth successive season to support the charity’s annual Warm Hearts Winter Appeal, with the goal of raising funds for 50 beds for Kiwi kids in need.
Variety is asking New Zealanders to donate to its Warm Hearts Winter Appeal to provide 1100 kids with new beds and warm bedding this winter. Each night, one in 10 Kiwi kids in New Zealand’s poorest communities won’t have their own bed to sleep in.
To help make a difference, the Chiefs Rugby Club are calling on all staff, players, and supporters to help through the purchase of warm blankets, bedding packs and single and bunk beds. There is also a ‘donate ticket’ option, which will allow a young child to attend a Gallagher Chiefs game with a carer.
Chiefs Rugby Club CEO Simon Graafhuis said: “For charity round, the Chiefs Rugby Club are proud to partner with Variety. Variety’s focus on improving the health, well-being and education of children and young people who live with financial hardship aligns nicely with the Chiefs Rugby Club's purpose of ‘Winning for our people.’
“The Gallagher Chiefs are hoping to raise enough funds to provide 50 beds for 50 children needing a warm bed this winter. Please give generously at the game between the Gallagher Chiefs and Hurricanes this weekend or go online and donate at store.chiefs.co.nz.”
Variety Chief Executive Susan Glasgow says children living in poverty bear the brunt of winter illnesses in part due to sharing beds or having no bed of their own.
“In the Chiefs’ region alone, we have scores of families who desperately need beds and bedding for their children but simply don’t have the means to afford them,” said Glasgow.
“Your support of Variety’s Warm Hearts Winter Appeal will mean that these children will be able to receive a new bed and bedding pack.”
Sharing beds means sharing viruses and other serious illnesses. Every year 28,000 children are hospitalised for diseases linked to poor sleeping environments.
“Help us to give caregivers the chance to tuck their children into their own beds, just as many of us will when we go home tonight,” continued Glasgow.
A group of Variety carers and children will join fans on Saturday night to cheer on the Gallagher Chiefs as they play the Hurricanes, with a special place pitch-side as the Gallagher Chiefs make their way to the field for kick-off. Tickets for the match can be purchased from chiefs.flicket.co.nz and donations can be added at checkout.
Gallagher Chiefs and All Black hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho will also be donating for auction a match-worn signed jersey to raise funds for the cause.
For More Information About Donations:
The following items can be purchased from the Chiefs online store, with all funds going directly to Variety to purchase the items. All $8 child tickets purchased will be given to Varity to attend the game, however, if the number of tickets exceeds the number of children wishing to attend, then the funds will be transferred to Variety as part of the fundraising total.
• $8 will fund a ticket for a child to attend a Gallagher Chiefs game
• $45 will fund a warm blanket
• $92 will fund a bedding pack
• $454 will fund a single bed and mattress
• $703 will fund bunks beds and mattresses
More Information About The Jersey Auction:
Samisoni Taukei’aho’s match-worn and signed jersey will be available for bidding on the Chiefs Rugby Club TradeMe account. View the auction here: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/sports/sports-memorabilia/rugby-union/jerseys/listing/4135527580
Other Donations:
From the following items we will also donate $1 per item purchased to the Warm Hearts Winter Appeal.
• $1 from every hot dog purchased at FMG Stadium Waikato Brian Perry Stand concessions will go to Variety
• $1 from every beanie purchased from Chiefs Merchandise stands at FMG Stadium Waikato or online at store.chiefs.co.nz will be donated to Variety.
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