World Vision says thanks to 2015 40 Hour Famine participants

World Vision says thanks to 2015 40 Hour Famine participants

The 2015 40 Hour Famine finished at midday today, putting an end to rumbling tummies and a host of other challenges the event’s 123,000 participants chose to undertake.

Funds raised from this year’s 40HF will go toward World Vision’s nutrition and food security projects in Bangladesh – a country where eight million children are chronically hungry.

Christchurch’s Wharenui Swimming Club finished their 40 hour swimming relay this morning, clocking up 693km (roughly the distance between Christchurch and Hamilton) since they began their epic challenge on Friday afternoon. The team said they were exhausted but pumped to have achieved their $5,000.00 fundraising goal.

Meanwhile, Laura Wotton from Auckland’s Selwyn College chose to ‘take a stand for Bangladesh’ by walking from Auckland to Whangaparoa with her younger brother Noah. They took off yesterday morning in the pouring rain and arrived at their destination just shy of midday.

Schoolmate Chris Kessell literally decided to go a few steps further and is still en route to Whangarei. He checked in with his support crew at 5am when he reached Wellsford with a borrowed cell-phone; his own became waterlogged thanks to Auckland’s weekend weather-bomb.

Author and illustrator of the world famous Captain Underpants series of books Dav Pilkey appeared on TV2’s What Now 40 Hour Famine special this morning and donated an unedited book (one of only seven in the world), two prints and an original drawing which is currently still up for auction on Trademe (Listing #: 892755368).

The majority of 40HF funds won’t be banked for another fortnight or so, however young Kiwis have already managed to raise $317,000.

World Vision spokeswoman Dominica Leonard says the organisation is overwhelmed by the compassion and dedication young Kiwis continue to show for their peers in developing countries.

“We just want to say a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has taken part this year. Your efforts will have a phenomenal impact on Bangladeshi children and their families”.

How will 40HF funds make a difference this year?
$2 will buy 50 nutrient sachets to help severely malnourished kids gain weight
$10 will help a family start their own veggie garden
$40 will start severely malnourished families on a special 12 day nutrition programme to get them back to health
*This year is the 41st 40 hour Famine. Over the past four decades more than $70million has been raised for vulnerable children in developing countries.

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