BP gives $230,000 to the nation’s volunteers

BP gives $230,000 to the nation’s volunteers

Over 700 volunteer organisations from across the country have been given a significant boost from BP under its ‘Vouchers for Volunteers’ programme this year.

Canteen, Victim Support and Land Search and Rescue each received over $4,000 in fuel this year, with BP giving away $233,000 overall – including over $50,000 especially for those helping in earthquake-struck Canterbury.

BP Managing Director Mike McGuinness said, “Every day thousands of volunteers give up their spare time to help others who are less fortunate. This is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ and to do our bit to ensure volunteers can continue their good work.”

“BP received over 1700 applications from around the country. The number of people giving so generously of their own time and money was overwhelming.”

This is the fifth year BP has run the scheme, and has given away more than ever before, donating over $150,000 worth of vouchers to a diverse range of organisations from neighbourhood patrol groups to riding for the disabled, meals on wheels services to environmental groups, victim support groups to hospices and health organisations.

In recognition of the remarkable effort of volunteers in earthquake-struck Canterbury, BP pledged a further $50,000 especially for the region to thank and support volunteers there.

“Over the past four years, BP has been able to help more than 1400 organisations,” said Mr McGuinness. “It is an initiative BP is very proud of.”

“BP New Zealand recognises that the current economic environment has had a huge impact on volunteers who use vehicles to do their work. Through donating thousands of dollars worth of fuel vouchers to volunteer organisations, we can do our bit to help out,” Mr McGuinness said.

“Volunteers and charity organisations throughout New Zealand are performing a wide variety of amazing functions in their community. We believe their work is incredibly important and not always fully appreciated. The Vouchers for Volunteers programme goes some way to thanking them for their efforts.”

Robert Fowler, chairman of Community Patrols of New Zealand, which received vouchers for over 50 community organisations across the country, said BP’s vouchers were a huge help. “Community organisations really do operate on the skin of their teeth sometimes. For organisations like ours, where our volunteers do a lot of driving as they patrol their communities, the vouchers make a huge difference and enable us to do that work.”

Victim Support Chief Executive Tony Paine said the organisation was grateful for the help. “Our service to victims is delivered in a way that best supports them. In many cases that means travelling to see victims and it’s an essential component of the work we do in keeping people harmed by crime and trauma linked in a positive way with their local community.”

The programme, launched on 4 October, invited applications from volunteer organisations for thousands of BP fuel vouchers. Registered charities or volunteer organisations that rely on voluntary assistance and use vehicles were eligible to apply.

Successful applicants have been advised by email. They will be collecting their vouchers from their local BP stations.

ENDS

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