Kenneth's off on cash mission

Kenneth lost a wheel while out collecting donations but is running again. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Auckland City Mission's newest mascot was a bit wobbly on his first day out but that didn't stop him collecting money for the hungry.

Despite temporarily losing a wheel, Kenneth the remote-controlled penguin turned heads yesterday.

The tiny robot will be out and about around Auckland City for the next three weeks as part of the Winter Appeal and will be collecting money so the mission can stock foodbanks and help people through the worst of winter.

On the last day of the appeal, the public can text in donations and each text will move Kenneth 1m closer to the mission to deliver the funds raised.

Kenneth's babysitter, James Holt, said the campaign was about fundraising and building a profile for the mission.

"I think he will get a good response. There has been a lot of doom and gloom lately so this is an upbeat fundraiser," said Mr Holt.

Plenty of onlookers donated as Kenneth wheeled around the city.

"The charm is that it's an inanimate object so people don't feel pressured to give money," said bystander Ollie Wall.

Kenneth is also on Twitter and people can donate online.

The Auckland City Mission said winter was a particularly hard time so the appeal was focused on collecting food and financial donations to help thousands of Aucklanders through the colder months.

ON THE WEB

twitter.com/HelpKenneth/