BP announced today that $231,219 has been raised for Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ), thanks to the support of
thousands of New Zealanders.
The amount was raised between 20 January and 16 February by Kiwis fuelling up at BP retail sites across the country
during BP’s Every Litre Counts campaign. For every litre of fuel sold, BP made a donation to the charity which
accumulated more than $230,000.
BP New Zealand’s Managing Director, Debi Boffa, says, “Our volunteer Surf Lifeguards have been putting in long hours to
keep us safe at the beach all summer. They have our backs and Every Litre Counts is a way of showing that we also have
theirs. It’s awesome to see thousands of Kiwis getting behind the cause once again.”
SLSNZ is investing the vital funds generated this year into an essential Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Health and Safety
project.
“IRBs are such a critical component to our beach rescues, and the health and safety of our volunteers is paramount. The
$231,219 generated by Every Litre Counts will help us fund research into IRB safety as well as develop education
resources and training programmes,”1 says SLSNZ CEO, Paul Dalton.
SLSNZ needs $10 million every year to operate and collectively its 74 clubs require roughly the same amount to run. As
part of this year’s Every Litre Counts initiative, each club was challenged to spread the word about the campaign
through social media for the chance to win one of 40 x $1,000 prizes.
The 40 winners include clubs from as far north as Whangarei Heads to St Clair in Otago.2
In addition, 100 individual Surf Lifeguards have won their share of $10,000 in the form of BP Gift Cards to help with
petrol expenses to get to patrols.
“To each person who fuelled up at BP during the donation period, we want you to know that your support means a great
deal to us and really will make a difference in keeping our beaches safer,” Dalton says.
Every Litre Counts was first introduced in 2018 to mark 50 years since BP began its support of SLSNZ in 1968, believed
to be New Zealand’s longest unbroken corporate partnership.
Since it began, $908,670 has been raised through Every Litre Counts, in addition to BP’s other support which includes an
annual donation, an annual contribution of fuel for every Surf Life Saving Club around the country, and a new Inflatable
Rescue Boat (IRB) donated to one club each year.