MEDIA RELEASE
12/03/12

Taking Strides Across the Country for Kiwi Kids

Kiwi kids and families are set to leave footprints across the country in aid of supporting our youth, as the annual Foundation for Youth Development’s (FYD) Big Walk returns this month.

FYD is encouraging all New Zealander’s to drag out their trainers, fill up those water bottles and join in this family-friendly fundraising event taking place in six iconic locations across New Zealand. This annual event aims to bring youth issues into the spotlight and build FYD’s capacity to reach more young people every year.

“Every day young New Zealanders face decisions that can change their path completely. FYD helps Kiwi kids develop the tools and skills they need to make healthy positive decisions that will change the course of their future,” says Graeme Dingle, mountaineer and co-founder of FYD.

“We currently work with almost 18,000 young people annually, but we know that at least a further 70,000 could benefit from our programmes. The Big Walk is all about families having fun together while raising much-needed funds to help us reach more kids each year.”

This year’s Big Walk will take place in six locations including the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland, Mt Maunganui Beach in Tauranga and Zealandia Eco Sanctuary in Wellington. Kids and families will walk through beautiful forested areas, wetlands and coast ways en masse whilst also enjoying a community barbecue and fun activities.

Participants can register on the FYD website and with the choice of a 2, 5 or 10km walk, there is something to suit all fitness levels.

Money will be raised through registrations and food will be available for purchase on the day. If you can’t make one of the six locations but want to contribute to the fundraising effort, donations can be made through the FYD website. All proceeds from the Big Walk will help raise funds for FYD’s youth programmes.

FYD programmes use the great outdoors, inspirational classroom leaders and world class mentors to help kids aged from 5 to 18 keep on track, develop confidence and self-belief and create goals for the future. Programmes focus on leadership skills, building confidence, developing life skills and teambuilding to help kids discover possibility and motivation, creating a youth population with a positive outlook and eyes open to the future.

National Big Walk sponsors include Classic Hits, ANZ, Bidvest, Britz, Ministry of Youth Development, Smiggle, Subway, Stuff and Speedy Signs.

What: FYD’s Big Walk 2012

For: FYD (Foundation for Youth Development)

Date: Saturday 31 March (Mt Maunganui and Wellington)
Sunday 01 April (Auckland, Coromandel, Hamilton and Christchurch)

Cost: $5 for students, $10 for adults or $20 for the whole family – two adults, three students

Locations: Auckland, Coromandel, Hamilton, Mt Maunganui, Wellington and Christchurch.

To find out more visit www.fyd.org.nz

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