World AIDS Day Organisers Launch Virtual Collector Site

MEDIA RELEASE: 02 NOVEMBER 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

World AIDS Day Organisers Launch Virtual Collector Site

World AIDS Day, December 1st, is fast approaching and appeal organisers New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF), Body Positive, Positive Women and INA are adding a new string to the fundraising bow with the launch of the virtual collector microsite gettingtozero.org.nz. Those who want to be involved but can’t spare the time can now take part in World AIDS Day from the comfort of their own homes.

The annual street appeal is still taking place on Friday 30 November in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch and organisers are encouraging people to look out for collectors on the day and drop a gold coin or two in the collection bucket. NZAF Executive Director, Shaun Robinson also acknowledges that many people miss out on the opportunity to support the cause. “We saw a need to expand the World AIDS Day appeal this year and to connect with all communities throughout New Zealand. There are always people outside of the main centres who would love to take part, and now they can.”
The gettingtozero.org.nz site allows people to set up a personal profile with a brief statement about why they are supporting World AIDS Day 2012. Each collector has a personal fundraising gauge on their profile page so they can see how their personal fundraising is progressing.
“Collecting for charity can actually be a lot of fun, and people get a kick out of reaching a personal fundraising goal for a cause that they support,” says Robinson. “This website is a great way for busy people to give something back to the community.”

Signing up as an online World AIDS Day collector couldn’t be easier. Simply visit gettingtozero.org.nz and click the ‘Become a Collector’ button. Once you’ve registered, share the link with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter and other social media and ask them to support your challenge with a small (or not so small) donation.

All funds raised from both gettingtozero.org.nz and the street appeal will go towards essential services for people living with HIV or affected by HIV in New Zealand. “As the HIV epidemic continues in New Zealand so does the need to extend our support, prevention and outreach services,” Robinson says. “Last year we raised just over $32,000 and we really want to try and top that this year. Every coin makes a difference to the work that we can do.”

This year sees the continuation of the global World AIDS Day campaign Getting to Zero. Spearheaded by UNAIDS, the movement focuses on three aspirational messages; zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS related deaths and zero discrimination.

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ENDS

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