14 March 2012
Keen bakers needed to bake a future for Puppies
Red Puppy Bikkie Day is calling eager bakers for support
Keen bakers are being asked to support Red Puppy Appeal 2012, by participating in Red Puppy Bikkie Day, on Friday March
30.
Baking and selling puppy-shaped bikkies to friends, family and workmates will aid in helping raise funds for Royal New
Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) Guide Dog puppies.
After the success of the inaugural Red Puppy Bikkie Day in support of Red Puppy Appeal last year, the RNZFB is hungry to
make it bigger and better this year and already over 250 organisations have signed up, from businesses to schools and
daycares.
The engineering and consultancy service Beca jumped at the chance to again put their baking skills to good use and will
be holding Red Puppy Bikkie Day events in their offices nationwide.
“Who knew our people were so skilled at making puppy-shaped shortbread, banana cake, gingerbread and more,” says
Environmental Scientist Kate Jackson from Beca, one of those who participated by baking last year.
“Our colleagues really enjoyed tasting our efforts and we were delighted to know that everyone's loose change went to
such a worthwhile cause as training RNZFB puppies!"
RNZFB Executive Director Supporter Marketing and Fundraising, Alison Wheatley, says RNZFB red puppies are working hard
to one day be the eyes of a blind or partially sighted person.
“Raising guide dogs requires a staggering amount of time, effort and money. We appreciate the tremendous support and
efforts of schools, clubs, day cares and work places around the country to fundraise so blind and partially sighted New
Zealanders can enjoy the freedom and independence a guide dog offers,” she says.
Along with the team from Beca, Bronagh Key, Kate Hawkesby and Mike Hosking have come on board to support this delicious
cause, and you can too.
Those keen to participate can register at redpuppy.org.nz where they will also find all the information required for
running a successful Red Puppy Bikkie Day event, including posters, a colouring competition, stencils and recipes.
Red Puppy Appeal 2012 will run from Friday 30 March through to Sunday 1 April.
About the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
• The RNZFB is the country’s main provider of sight loss services to blind and partially sighted people.
• The RNZFB has more than 11,500 blind and partially sighted members nationwide and every day an average of three
blind or partially sighted New Zealanders sign up as members of the RNZFB.
• RNZFB puppies are identified by their bright red coats and the average working life of a RNZFB guide dog is
eight to 10 years.
• The RNZFB receives no government funding for Guide Dog Services so your support of the Red Puppy Appeal will
help blind and partially sighted Kiwis live a full and independent life.
ENDS