Rhythm and Vines to Give Back to Community

MEDIA RELEASE:

Monday 16 November

Rhythm & Vines are proud to announce their support this year for children’s charity, Barnardos, by dedicating the second day of the festival as a huge fancy dress fundraiser for the organisation.

On December 30th Rhythm & Vines festival-goers will be encouraged to join the local Police, St Johns, Festival staff and crew, and dress up for charity - be it by creating a fancy dress masterpiece or wearing a simple Santa hat. Gold coin donations can be made at the gate and throughout the Festival. Those who do go the extra mile with their chosen costume will also be in the running for an array of ‘Best Dressed’ prizes which will be awarded by Rhythm & Vines judges on the day.

Barnardos vision is that childhood is valued and each child’s hope and potential are nurtured. Barnardos serve children and young people through recognising the importance of their families and whanau; through offering integrated services within Barnardos and in community partnerships; by providing care and support; and providing education and learning opportunities.

“The Rhythm & Vines team are very proud to be supporting Barnardos,” says Festival Director Paxton Talbot. “It’s incredibly important that children get the best possible start in life. Many just don’t because of poverty, domestic violence, family tragedy or broken relationships. Secure, happy, healthy and educational childhood years are critical in giving us happiness, confidence, and balance in adulthood.”

Donations from Rhythm & Vines party goers will certainly be put to good use by Barnardos in Gisborne as many of the charity’s important initiatives are reliant on fundraising dollars. The Gisborne Barnardos is unique in that it offers a wide range of services, all of which have ‘children come first’ as their focus.

“One of our main concerns is the Children’s Contact Service,” says Gisborne Barnardos Area Manager Dianne Saunders. “We are the only authorised provider of this supervised contact service in Gisborne but rely on fundraising to keep the service going. Without the service, children in this area would be unable to have positive, loving visits with their estranged parent/s. We see this as an essential service and we’re committed to keeping a nurturing relationship between parents and children active while maintaining the safety of the child at all times.”

Another key area for the local organisation is helping children and young people who have been affected by family violence. Through fundraising, the Gisborne Barnardos are able to provide programmes for children who would otherwise not be able to access the help they need to enable them to live healthy, happy lives, free from family violence.

Rhythm & Vines will be getting into the dress-up spirit of the day to help raise money, and organisers expect festival goers will do the same and empty their pockets on December 30th for this worthy cause.

For further information on Rhythm & Vines visit: http://http://www.rhythmandvines.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media