Katherine Smith donates $10 on her way to work 8.10AM: Fine weather in Auckland and an increased number of collectors this year augur well for an increased World AIDS Day collection. Just on 150 collectors have hit the streets around the country, according to NZ AIDS Foundation Executive Director Shaun Robinson who himself is rattling a bucket on a Queen Street corner. Last year only 100 collectors were available to raise vital funds to supplement HIV support work and provide last resort assistance to financially stressed people living with HIV, most of whom are gay men. "The more collectors we have the more we can raise," says Robinson. The bulk of the collectors are from the gay communities but Robinson pays special tribute to MAC cosmetics who are a world-wide HIV benefactor and in New Zealand align themselves more particularly with women with HIV. "I give them full credit for turning out their staff on World AIDS Day to benefit everyone with HIV," Robinson says. "They are excellent at raising awareness and are very hands on." As well as downtown Auckland this year for the first time in many years permission has been gained from some suburban malls for collectors to work within the malls, which should further increase the collection total. Collectors are also shaking buckets in Hamilton, Gisborne, Wellington and Christchurch. Donations can also be made online at www.gettingtozero.org.nz.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 30th November 2012 - 8:13am