The ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard in South Auckland where many families are living on or below the poverty line.
The Middlemore Foundation has partnered with New Zealand public figures and community organisations on the frontline to provide urgent food, blankets, nappies and sanitary packs to South Auckland families in critical need.
Public figures Joseph Parker, Rhys Darby, Sam Cane, Kimbra, Sharyn Casey and Bryce Casey have called on New Zealand to donate to the ‘Send Help, Spread Hope’ appeal to help get essential items to the most vulnerable.
COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has affected all people around the world, with New Zealand in national lockdown for the last five weeks. For South Auckland’s vulnerable families and their children living in impoverished conditions, the impact is immense and on-going.
Joseph Parker, a Middlemore Foundation ambassador, highlights that these families have been faced with extreme life challenges before COVID-19, and this makes matters so much worse.
Examples of those in high stress include solo mothers, the elderly, those living with disabilities or those who are immune-compromised, and those living in poverty with minimal whānau support, no internet access or no means of transportation.
They are now experiencing difficulty providing basic supplies and essential items.
As Kimbra explains, for these families the challenge of getting essential items will not go away when the lockdown is lifted.
With New Zealand’s help, the ‘Send Help, Spread Hope’ appeal can eliminate one element of their stress by providing food, blankets, nappies and sanitary products and other essentials to vulnerable whānau in South Auckland, where they can be prepared and be healthy during this uncertain time.
As Rhys Darby mentioned, the Middlemore Foundation “needs your help to send help and spread hope” to our most vulnerable families.
The celebrity supporters explain how each dollar will make a difference: ● $10 will provide a sanitary or nappies pack ● $15 will feed a family of 4 for one day ● $25 will provide one blanket to a child or adult in need ● $50 will feed a solo mother and her child for a week ● $100 will feed a family of 4 for a week
Donations can be made online at: middlemorefoundation.org.nz/donate
Bank deposits can be made to Middlemore Foundation’s Westpac account: 03-0173-0026663-00. Please reference donations as ‘COVID-19 Appeal’.
Your support will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable families in South Auckland.