Thousands Of New Zealanders To Take Part In The World Vision 40 Hour Famine This Weekend

More than 50,000 students from around Aotearoa New Zealand are set to take part in this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Famine to raise funds to bring life-saving water to children living in the world’s toughest places.

The country’s largest youth fundraising event kicks off for 40 hours from 8pm Friday, July 1 and runs until midday Sunday, July 3.

Tens of thousands of young people will be taking part and have come with a range of new and interesting challenges to change everything for children who urgently need clean water.

Some of the key fundraising events underway include:

• World Vision New Zealand’s National Director, Grant Bayldon, “foraging” for all his water needs for 40 hours (no taps allowed) and relying on a water filter.
• Christchurch eight-year-old Oscar walking 100km and biking 40km.
• Wanaka’s James Watson who has kayaked the length of Lake Wanaka – 47km.
• Wellington’s Tanika Naidoo making 40 nacho meals to donate to the Wellington Soup Kitchen.
• Riccarton High School media studies students who are running a 40 hour film making competition.
• West Auckland’s Jemiah Teariki making 40 care packages for 40 families while surviving on 40 litres of water and just $4.

Funds raised will help provide emergency water to refugee camps; build water systems for villages that need a clean water supply; and equip communities with the tools they need to keep water flowing for years to come.

This year, three much-loved Kiwis, rugby star Caleb Clarke; Mai FM presenter and television host Tegan Yorwarth; and Hollywood actor Julian Dennison are supporting the World Vision 40 Hour Famine to raise awareness of the global water crisis affecting millions of children worldwide.

To support the event, some of the country’s most significant landmarks will light up orange including:

• Sky City’s Sky Tower, Auckland
• Eden Park, Auckland
• Whangarei’s Victoria Canopy Bridge and Kotuitui Whitinga
• Victoria Street Bridge, Hamilton
• Hopwood Clock Tower, Palmerston North
• Hastings Clock Tower, Hastings
• Christchurch Airport, Christchurch
• The Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
• Oamaru Opera House, Oamaru
• Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin.

The World Vision 40 Hour Famine is New Zealand’s largest fundraising event.

More than three million New Zealanders have participated in the event since it began in 1975 to take a stand against poverty through a 40 Hour challenge to raise money and bring hope to children around the world.

For full details and to donate to Kiwi kids participating in the World Vision 40 Hour Famine visit

40hour.org.nz

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