FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5th September 2012
Hope goes walking
New Zealand residential care program, A Girl Called Hope, is hosting a nationwide 5km fundraising walk to raise funds
for the care of women facing issues such as abuse, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, addictions and unplanned
pregnancy.
Aptly named, ‘Walk for Hope’; the event will see New Zealanders donning their walking shoes to help young Kiwi women on
the road to recovery from life-controlling issues.
The walk was successfully kicked off in Whangarei in July , and will also be held in Auckland and Wellington in
September . October sees the last of the walks for the year in Blenheim, Tauranga and Christchurch.
Over the past eight years the fundraiser has successfully raised more than $240,000 for the charity. Executive Director
Kerry Petrie says the walk is a fantastic opportunity for Kiwis to directly help young New Zealand women. “Although it
can be difficult to walk a mile in the shoes of person suffering from a life-controlling issue, we all want to be able
to do something to help.
This is a relatively short walk and the funds raised through sponsorship will go a long way towards helping our young
women reach their full potential in life,” she says.
With more than 1000 people expected to participate in the event, funds are raised through a modest registration fee and
participants finding people to sponsor their walk. All proceeds will go directly towards the operating costs of the 100
per cent privately funded Auckland-based residential care programme.
“I really encourage everyone who can to participate in the Walk for Hope knowing that every sponsorship dollar you raise
will directly help transform lives and restore hope.”
Register for the Whangarei Walk for Hope or make a donation by visiting www.agirlcalledhope.org.nz
ENDS
‘Walk for Hope’
Saturday July 28
Whangarei
Saturday September 22
Auckland (5 and10km option)
Saturday September 29
Wellington (5 and10km option)
Saturday October 13
Blenheim
Sunday October 14
Tauranga
Sunday October 27
Christchurch
About A Girl Called Hope
A Girl Called Hope is a non–profit organisation working with young women who face life–controlling issues, such as
abuse, addictions, depression, eating disorders, self-harm and unplanned pregnancy. We exist to provide a future full of
hope and potential to every young woman – to show them that they are valued, purposed and above all have a reason to
live. Our goal is to see young women restored to full health; to discover the purpose for their lives and bring value to
their world as productive and thriving individuals. Executive Director Kerry Petrie says; “ A Girl Called Hope aims to
address the whole person: spiritual, physical and emotional and social. Our goal is to have each young woman not only
complete the programme but also discover the purpose for her life and bring value to her community as a productive
citizen.”
A Girl Called Hope provides counselling services based on Christian values, training in life principals, social skills,
nutrition and fitness, and is free-ofcharge to women aged 16 to 28 years from around the country. The voluntary
programme typically lasts six months.