The funds will go to Just Move Charitable Trust and KidsCan
Kiwibank and Bank of New Zealand have continued to reach out to victims of recent wild weather events by donating to charities working on flood and cyclone recovery and relief.
The bank said it will contribute more than $300,000 towards cyclone relief efforts in North Island. Prior to this latest move, the bank had provided generators and fuel to support immediate efforts in Hawkes Bay.
“We have seen the devastation the recent weather and cyclone has brought to many of our regions,” Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich said. “This has impacted many of our Kiwibank whānau and we hope this plays a small part in assisting with the recovery.”
Kiwibank will inject $200,000 in funds to Just Move Charitable Trust to assist 2022 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year Dave Letele in responding to the immediate needs of those impacted by cyclone and other weather events in Hawke’s Bay. An additional $50,000 has been allocated by Kiwibank people based in the Hawkes Bay to donate as they see fit, to help their community recover.
“I am beyond stoked, excited, and grateful Kiwibank came to me with the offer of a significant donation,” Letele said. “Our team has just been responding to the immediate needs [of] the community, so this donation is a huge relief to help us extend our efforts and help more whānau who need it. My team has been working so hard on the ground. This donation will make a huge difference to the numbers of people we can reach and help out.”
BNZ provided a $100,000 donation to KidsCan to help support children affected by recent severe weather events.
“We are continuing to look for ways to help those who have been hardest hit by the devastating weather events, with BNZ’s immediate focus on helping families and communities in urgent need,” BNZ CEO Dan Huggins said. “Helping to ensure kids can return to school warm, dry, and well-fed is one way we can do that.”
By supporting KidsCan, BNZ hopes to take some of the pressure off parents, so they can focus on recovery and get back to their daily lives as quickly as possible, Huggins said.
“We’re so grateful to BNZ for this donation, which will help support children in hard-hit areas with food, clothing, and other essentials,” said Julie Chapman, KidsCan founder and CEO. “Some are returning to school having experienced trauma, and with many homes in ruins, teachers are ensuring school is their safe place. Schools are wrapping children and their families in support – and they need all the help we can give them. The support of our business community has never been more important.”
The donation to KidsCan follows the bank’s $250,000 donation to The Salvation Army to support communities impacted by the severe weather.
How is your organisation helping those impacted by wild weather events? Share it with us in the comments section below.
