16/10/2012
Media Release

Charity urges businesses to take on the Taniwha

A national anti-domestic abuse charity is urging community members and big businesses to take on The Taniwha in support of making homes violence free in New Zealand.

Shine is challenging teams of two to four people to take a journey along the newly completed Waikato River Trails, either on foot or on a mountain bike as a fundraiser.

“There's a bunch of different distance options, so feel free to bite off as much as you think you can chew, then challenge your local competitor or friend to join the rally for a bit of friendly competition,” says Hilary Lewis, spokesperson for Shine.

The reason: One in three women experience domestic abuse by an intimate partner during their lifetime, often they are too afraid to ask for help and they are pushed to their limits becoming both physically and emotionally exhausted.

“Shine provides a range of services to keep victims safe, preferably in their in home through our safe@home service which only costs $3,700 to make a family safe,” says Jane Drumm, Executive Director of Shine.

The Taniwha organised by Total Sports at Waikato River Trails on November 10 is a brand new challenging yet achievable event that is open to anyone from families to endurance junkies.

“We are simply asking participants to push their limits and raise as much money as they can to support victims of domestic abuse whilst raising awareness that there are service out there to help them become safer,” says Ms Lewis

Individuals are encouraged to sign up to Shine’s Everyday hero page and then email their unique webpage link to friends, family and colleagues so they can start bringing in funds which will make a huge difference to victims of domestic abuse.

It is hoped up to $50,000 will be raised, but the event is as much about raising the profile of Shine as it is about the money, Ms Drumm says.

Shine are hoping members of the Labour and National caucus will also step up to the challenge and don a tracksuit for the fundraiser.

"We'd like to see some local MPs step up to the fundraising challenge, but we’ll never rule out some local councillors or up and coming politicians,” says Ms Lewis.

For more information about the event please visit the website: http://www.thetaniwha.co.nz/
To sign up as an Everyday Hero fundraiser visit: http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/event/fundraisingchallenge
For more information:
Shine’s Free Helpline: 0508 744 633
www.2shine.org.nz

-ENDS-

Shine is New Zealand’s leading provider of services working to stop domestic abuse. We help woman, children and men get out of the cycle of family violence and give the chance of a better, happier, safer future.

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