Coastguard is sending out a distress call in the hope that Kiwis will dig deep for its annual MayDay fundraising appeal from May 1. The appeal runs for two weeks until Sunday, May 13.
Donations made during MayDay will help support Coastguard's critical volunteer programme 'Train one - save many'. Coastguard eastern region's volunteers play a critical role in the charity's ongoing mission to save lives at sea.
Each volunteer requires extensive practical training at a cost of $34.30 per week, both in the water and the air, to ensure they can respond to each call for help with speed and accuracy.
Coastguard relies on the funding and support of New Zealanders to continue the valuable work it does to keep Kiwis safe on the water. There are currently 587 volunteers in Coastguard eastern region. In the past year they have invested 93,128 hours, responded to 402 calls for assistance and have rescued 937 people.
Commencing on the day historically celebrated as 'May Day', the name of the campaign also references the well-known distress signal used by boaties around the world when calling for help.
Regional manager for Coastguard Eastern Region Graeme Hull hopes that New Zealanders will recognise the valuable service that Coastguard and its many volunteers provide during the appeal.
"We hope that with New Zealand's support, this year's MayDay appeal will help raise the necessary funds to give them the essential training and support they need to do their job safely while out on the water," he says.
Look out for MayDay collectors on the street between May 1-13 or make a donation by: