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Vodafone NZ Foundation, National
Wellington woman making world of difference to bereaved parents.
Wellingtonian Vicki Culling is encouraging New Zealanders to put their passion and talent to good use by applying for the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation's World of Difference programme, launching today.
Vicki is a current World of Difference winner, with her salary and expenses paid for a year by the Foundation to work for SANDS (Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support).
The World of Difference programme is one of a kind, giving passionate New Zealanders, like Vicki, the chance to make a real difference to their favourite child or youth-related cause, by giving funding to up to six people for a year.
Vicki's goals for her World of Difference year are to strengthen SANDS' national network and co-ordinate regional support groups for bereaved parents throughout New Zealand. As a parent personally affected by the sad loss of her daughter, she knows from experience the difference SANDS can make to someone's life.
"It is certainly a huge challenge and I'm constantly aware of the unique opportunity I have been given. I'm so fortunate to have been selected for the World of Difference programme and I'm thrilled to be increasing awareness of SANDS for the benefit of those who need us most."
The Foundation is calling upon New Zealand's 'nice people' to apply for the World of Difference programme this year. An interactive 'nice-onality' test located at www.nicepeople.co.nz, tells Kiwis just how nice they really are and encourages people at all levels of the 'niceness' spectrum to put their passion and talent to good use by applying for the programme.
Foundation Chairman, Neil Porteous says the programme, now in its fifth year, has seen 18 amazing Kiwis make a world of difference in New Zealand and overseas.
"This year we are hoping for an increase in applications from passionate New Zealanders who have a connection with, or interest in, a child or youth-related cause," he says.
The other World of Difference recipients from 2005 are working in the areas of occupational therapy for the disabled, establishing overseas orphanages and taking medical services to developing nations by ship.
Kate Russell, Chief Executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand spent a year working closely with World of Difference recipient Tracey Richardson in 2005 and says the benefits the programme provides to charitable organisations are immeasurable.
"World of Difference has had an amazing impact on us. It is strategic in focus — increasing the capacity of the charities it helps, not just sponsoring an event as a one-off. My hat is off to the Vodafone Foundation for this new and innovative thinking."
Vodafone's strong volunteering culture encourages its people to share their talents and passion in the community. A shorter version of the programme, affectionately called "mini-World of Difference" has also been established allowing employee recipients to take up to two weeks paid leave to work for a charity.
The World of Difference programme is open to all New Zealand residents aged over 18 years. Entries close Friday, August 18 2006 and must be completed and submitted online at www.nicepeople.co.nz.
- ENDS -
Monday, July 10 2006.
For more information on the World of Difference programme or to see the inspiring 2 minute documentary of past winners' projects by New Zealand film-maker Rob Harley, check out the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation's website: www.vodafonenzfoundation.org.nz.