Thanks to loaned vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Vans New Zealand and Volkswagen Commercial New Zealand, yesterday Auto Media Group assisted the New Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF) by ferrying bucket-carrying volunteers around Auckland Central for the World Aids Day appeal collection.
Auto Media Group’s DIESELtalk editor Robert Barry is behind the wheel of an 8-seat Mercedes-Benz Valente, while Auckland-based NZAF social media coordinator Ricky Te Akau is piloting a 7-seat Volkswagen Multivan TDI.
Both vehicles are on loan from the distributors at no charge, for which the NZAF is hugely appreciative of, as the non-profit organisation faces shrinking government funding as it endeavours to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids throughout New Zealand, and provide testing, counselling and support services to the wider community.
Annually on December 1, hundreds of community volunteers throughout New Zealand give a few hours of their time on World Aids Day to promote awareness of HIV as well as raise funds that go towards supporting people living with HIV, their partners, and family.
Barry has previously coordinated the transportation of the NZAF volunteers on World Aids Day in 2014 and 2013 using a Peugeot Expert people mover and a Ford Tourneo Titanium respectively.
The Mercedes-Benz Valente and the Volkswagen Multivan hit the road at 7 am this morning ferrying groups of volunteers from the NZAF national office in Hargreaves Street, Freemans Bay to various collection points around Ponsonby, the CBD, and Newmarket.
The two shuttles will be running across the city until 6 pm this evening uplifting the remaining “bucket-rattlers.” from their collection points.
“Xander and I have been collecting for World AIDS day for a couple of years now, and we love doing it,” says NZAF volunteer Chris Henry.
“We both get such a kick out of how much we can raise with our buckets on the street. In fact, it might even get just a little bit competitive between the two of us as to who can raise the most cash,” says Henry.
Donations for World Aids Day may be made online at www.nzaf.org.nz/donate
