Media Release 19 November 2010
For Immediate Release
YMCA Managers Ride for White Ribbon
Once again YMCA associations are turning out to support White Ribbon Day on 25 November to raise awareness of the
effects of violence towards women.
White Ribbon Day, held each year on 25 November, is an international day of action and awareness when people wear a
white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. In New Zealand most violence by men against women
takes place in the home; each year an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500
convictions for assaults on women are recorded.
For the second year in a row, some of the YMCA’s senior managers are also getting directly involved. The YMCA has
supported White Ribbon Day in New Zealand for several years and all YMCAs are active in promoting the message and
encouraging staff and members to wear a White Ribbon. Many YMCAs also put on special events to mark this occasion.
YMCA New Zealand National CEO Ric Odom; YMCA Hawkes Bay CEO Peter Andersson; YMCA Hawkes Bay OSCAR Co-ordinator Greg
Ireland and YMCA Auckland’s Fitness Operation Manager Grant Helleur will be participating in the White Ribbon Ride this
year. All four YMCA managers are keen motorcyclists and see this as an opportunity to make a personal expression in
support of the White Ribbon cause.
National YMCA CEO Ric Odom said the appalling statistics around violence need to be reversed. As a family and youth
oriented organisation, the YMCA is concerned for the health and wellbeing of communities. For this reason the
organisation has been an active participant in the promotion of White Ribbon Day and involved in the planning of the
White Ribbon Ride.
ENDS