Media release
7 April 2004
For immediate release
Guide dogs give collectors a high paw
Thousands of volunteer collectors donned bright red vests and hit the streets over the weekend 2 – 4 April, to collect
donations for the 2004 Guide Dog Appeal.
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) is thrilled with the response from the New Zealand public and the
tremendous support from volunteers.
“We are so pleased with how this Guide Dog Appeal has gone,” says Jeanette Manson, RNZFB Divisional Manager Fundraising.
“Here’s hoping the results are as successful as they are indicating they will be. The collection bucket amounts are
looking good so far, but we still have a lot of counting to do!
“I’d especially like to thank all of the volunteers for making this appeal shine. Without volunteer support the Guide
Dog Appeal just isn’t an appeal! Every year we are so grateful that people keep generously giving us their time and
energy to collect,” says Ms Manson.
The RNZFB would also like to thank the new principal sponsor of Guide Dog Services, Bayleys Realty Group, who has given
immeasurable support to the Guide Dog Appeal campaign.
A recent charity auction held by the Bayleys Realty Group in Wellington on 1 April saw $137,000 raised for Guide Dog
Services. In addition, seven of the Bayleys’ franchise operations each committed to $22,500 sponsorship of individual
guide dogs.
“Our staff have really got in behind Guide Dog Services and many of them were out collecting in the weekend,” says
Bayleys’ Managing Director Jeff Davidson.
Preliminary results from the Guide Dog Appeal should be available by the end of the month.
All donations raised from the appeal will fund guide dogs and other essential services provided by the RNZFB.
ENDS