All the donations from the many World AIDS Day collections around New Zealand have now been counted, showing that more than $50,000 was raised during the months of November and December to support the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Thank you very much for your kind donations: Some of Wellington's red ribbon crew As usual, Wellington's red ribbon selling crew raised more money than the Aucklanders, although the Auckland bucket shakers raised almost $10,000 more than this time last year. Hundreds of volunteers, staff and supporters hit street corners with their World AIDS Day buckets, raising $15,658 in Auckland and $18,551 in Wellington. Partnerships with the Body Shop and the Accor Hotel Group also raised funds, as did Red Parties and collections in venues in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. The proceeds of selling red ribbons on World AIDS Day 2008 nationwide totaled $38,553, the NZAF has now confirmed. Jonathan Smith, organiser of last month's Queen of the Whole Universe pageant was on hand at a special film screening of the pageant at the Academy Cinema in Auckland on Wednesday evening. The film screening gathered cast and crew together, many of whom had been unable to see the spectacular show unfold as they had participated in it. Smith presented a cheque for $11,500 to Eamonn Smythe, Director Positive Health for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Adding the pageant's cheque to the NZAF's World AIDS Day total gives a grand haul of $50,053 raised. The proceeds of World AIDS Day 2008 support the New Zealand AIDS Foundation's Wellness Fund and HIV prevention initiatives. The Wellness Fund provides direct financial assistance for HIV positive people to access health services when alternative sources of assistance are not available. GayNZ.com understands that a special project which will benefit people living with HIV and AIDS will be confirmed in 2009 and will be funded through the proceeds of Queen of the Whole Universe. An instant $3 donation to the NZAF can still be made by sending the word 'AIDS' in the body of a text message to the number 883.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 19th December 2008 - 5:15pm