Hospice & Harleys Hot On Fox News New York
Last night's prime time television appearance by a group of New Zealand Harley riders in New York has resulted in a huge
international profile for Palmerston North’s Arohanui Hospice. Roger Clausen and four friends made an appearance on the
world renowned television station FOX NEWS WNYW 5 in New York, at the peak viewing time of 10.40pm. Their unique
appearance lasted for almost 10 mins. The opportunity for the Kiwi group to appear on the program was engineered by
Harleys Across America media advisor Kev Loughlin, who established strong personal links with the network after he saw
how popular the nightly news program was in New York.
Mr Loughlin then convinced the Assignment editors at the huge American news network to have Mr Clausen and his group of
Harley riders all appear with their bikes on the program. The television network expressed particular interest in the
Hospice appeal, and they wanted to offer their millions of viewers the opportunity to make a donation to the cause, via
the Internet, said Mr Loughlin. Accordingly the Kiwi group went to the New York studios of Fox News, and preparations
were made for a semi choreographed arrival of each of the 4 bikes, their riders and a passenger to be filmed live to
air, with comments from Roger Clausen.
Such was the interest by the news, sports and weather anchors on the station that the appearance by the Kiwi riders took
on an era of spontaneity, and became a lot of fun for everyone. There was a great atmosphere existing among all the
production crew, said Mr Loughlin. The weather anchor sat on Roger's bike and did the forecast; he wore the Hospice
jacket, discussed Palmerston North, the ride across America, the Hospice, and the appeal. And to top it all off they ran
the Harleys Across America website across the screen inviting viewers to make a donation direct online. This huge
profile for the Hospice may have a significant impact on the final appeal total, said Mr Loughlin. It’s believed to be
the biggest achievement yet by any New Zealand organisation in arranging for a major US television network to put high
profile on New Zealand in their news programs. The website for making donations to the Hospice Appeal online is
www.stephenparsons.houseoftravel.co.nz/harley then click on Newsletters, then click on Roger Clausens website, to make a
direct donation online.