INDEPENDENT NEWS

Urgent Couriers helping Kiwi kids reach potential

Published: Mon 17 Mar 2014 09:55 AM
Urgent Couriers helping Kiwi kids reach potential
Urgent Couriers is joining the Foundation for Youth Development’s (FYD’s) drive to help inspire Kiwi kids to reach their full potential and is calling on other businesses to do the same.
Urgent Couriers Managing Director Steve Bonnici was so inspired when he was approached to support two young people through FYD’s programmes that he wanted to do more to help.
FYD was founded by well known Kiwi adventurer Graeme Dingle and lawyer Jo-anne Wilkinson. FYD runs a series of programmes to help build self-confidence, promote good values and teach valuable life, education and health skills. Current programmes include Kiwi Can, Project K, Stars, Career Navigator and MYND.
As a father of three Kiwi kids himself, Mr Bonnici appreciates the importance of what FYD is doing and comprehensive evaluation results convinced him that the foundation’s programmes are making a real difference.
“FYD’s programmes really work, so rather than support only a few kids I’d prefer to help FYD Auckland get support for 100 kids.”
Mr Bonnici’s solution is to use donated space on the back of his courier vans as FYD mobile billboards to raise awareness and generate support. The vans with the custom designed FYD Auckland backs calling for Project K mentors will be on the road for three months of the year.
“The support from Urgent Couriers is priceless,” Mr Dingle says.
“Without support from businesses like Urgent Couriers we could not deliver programmes to nearly 8,000 young people in Auckland each year. Urgent Couriers’ initiative does a lot to increase FYD’s profile and encourage other businesses and individuals to take up the opportunity to help.”
Over the last 20 years through FYD, Kiwi businesses and other supporters have made a significant difference by helping to fund programmes. More than 18,000 children and teenagers go through its programmes every year throughout New Zealand and nearly half of these are in Auckland.
“I’m constantly amazed and thankful that New Zealand businesses are so generous and keen to make a difference to their local communities. Ideally we’d like many more children to participate in FYD programmes, so more support will help us build brighter futures and grow many more great Kiwi kids,” Mr Dingle says.
He points out that helping Kiwi kids reach their potential makes good business sense. ‘Growing Great Futures – Whakatipu Tamariki Ora’, a report prepared by Infometrics, showed that investment in FYD programmes provides a long-term return to the New Zealand economy in excess of $7 for every $1 invested.
Steve Bonnici says that is just one of many compelling reasons he is supporting FYD and he hopes that other Auckland businesses will also back the cause.
FYD Auckland is looking to attract more Auckland businesses to be involved in its programmes and offers partnership opportunities for employees to engage with young Kiwis and make a difference in their local communities. FYD nationwide is known for building partnerships that are rewarding for organisations while also enhancing its work to grow great Kiwi kids.
Contact FYD today to discuss how your business can partner with them, by going to www.fyd.org.nz or calling 0800 223 8443
ENDS

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