RSA made the hard and historic call recently to postpone its Poppy Day appeal and cancel Anzac Day services across the country.
Never before have Kiwis had an April without Anzac Day Dawn Services and a sea of poppies – which is part of our fabric, identity and pride.
The country’s largest philanthropic entity, Perpetual Guardian, is making a rallying call for New Zealanders to support the RSA by donating to ‘Let’s Not Forget’ –
Kiwis are accustomed to seeing poppies adorning passers-by in the streets during the month of April and in the lead-up to Anzac Day services will miss this familiar sight while in lockdown. This means that RSA is losing a vital opportunity to fundraise for its services, which reach many thousands of serving and ex-serving personnel and their families in New Zealand.
In view of the postponement of the national Poppy Day Appeal and Anzac Day services, Perpetual Guardian is leading the charge to support and help our heroes by contributing to this ‘Let’s Not Forget’ campaign.
This Givealittle campaign (givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/letsnotforget) provides New Zealanders with a platform to honour our veterans and active military, preserving a deep part of New Zealand’s history while people are unable to come together for events or fundraise face-to-face due to the lockdown.
The Perpetual Guardian Foundation, New Zealand’s premier provider of the full suite of estate planning services–is contributing $25,000 on behalf of their generous donors and this donation will go directly to the RSA, along with public donations received via the Givealittle page.
In addition, Perpetual Guardian is donating $1500 towards the campaign as RSA needs these funds for its critical work to support our veterans, the oldest of whom will be among the most vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19.
Perpetual Guardian founder Andrew Barnes says, “New Zealand, with the rest of the world, is living through a moment in history. As we proceed with our nationwide lockdown to break the chain and save lives, the government has advised that NZ Police will receive support from Defence Force personnel in order to keep Kiwis safe during the lockdown period.
“The extra work our current Defence Force members are doing here at home is a timely reminder of how much we have relied on our service people to protect us over the years – and now is the time to help our heroes in return.”
RSA National President BJ Clark says, “The RSA is pleased to be working with the Perpetual Guardian on the ‘Let’s Not Forget’ campaign and thanks Kiwis in advance for any support they can give. Our service people and their whanau have sacrificed so much for New Zealand, to protect our way of life – this campaign is a way we can give back and thank them.”
More locally, Howick early learning centre ‘The Learning Ladder’ launched an Anzac Day fundraiser the week of lockdown. They have 100 limited sets available of a commemorative Anzac tea towel and a Grow- Your-Own poppy set that can be couriered out to people’s door. Five per cent of all sales goes back to The RSA. Contact bo@fundraisefactory.com
