12 October 2011
Second Week of Youthtown Break from the Quake Launches
DATE: Monday 17 October, 2011
LOCATION: Auckland Viaduct and Queens Wharf
TIMINGS: 3.00pm – 4.00pm: Maori Waka Visit, Auckland Viaduct
4.00pm – 5.30pm: The Cloud, Queens Wharf, Auckland
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Giant Rugby Ball, Queens Wharf, Auckland
Two hundred and fifty Christchurch kids will descend on Auckland’s waterfront next week [Eds: Monday 17 October] for a
unique Rugby World Cup experience to mark the launch of the second week of Youthtown’s Break from the Quake initiative.
The October camps were originally scheduled to take place in the second week of the July holidays but inclement weather
in both Christchurch and Auckland caused the cancellation of flights and postponement of the second week of camps.
Kids will start the afternoon with a tour of the newly installed Maori Waka at the Viaduct where they will get to meet
four well-known Maori rugby players: Deon Muir, Glen Jackson, Slade McFarland and Glen Marsh. They will then be treated
to a live, personalised performance from the Topp Twins at The Cloud followed by exclusive entry to the giant rugby ball
on Queens Wharf.
Youthtown CEO, Keith Thorpe, says the event will hold significant meaning for kids who have been so closely affected by
the devastation in Christchurch.
“We are delighted we can bring the excitement surrounding the Rugby World Cup alive for these Canterbury kids who have
been through so much this past year.
“The focus for the camps is to give these children a well-deserved ‘break from the quake’ and we hope this week’s
campers will take just as much away from their experiences as our first week of campers did,” he adds.
Break from the Quake provides the opportunity for 500 10-17 year olds, from Christchurch’s worst affected quake areas,
to escape the city for activities at camps in Auckland and its surrounds. The camps are completely free of charge with
all costs covered by Youthtown and Break from the Quake sponsors and supporters.
For more information on Youthtown Break from the Quake visit www.youthtown.org.nz.
About Youthtown:
Youthtown is a not-for-profit organisation designed to provide young people with opportunities for great physical,
social and creative experiences.
The organisation was founded in 1932 in Auckland and was originally known as Boystown. It officially rebranded itself as
Youthtown in 1986. After celebrating its 75th year in 2007, it made a commitment to expanding its operations nationally.
Youthtown currently has centres in Auckland, Upper Hutt, Christchurch, Oamaru and Taupo.
Youthtown also has a fundraising arm called the Youthtown Trust. Funds for the trust are raised through gaming machines,
with the takings being used to directly benefit youth within the area in which they are raised.
ENDS