The charity has launched a new Winter Appeal campaign that draws attention to the growing number of children across New Zealand who desperately need the vital support KidsCan provides.
Backed by its principal partner, Meridian Energy, KidsCan already supports 889 schools (a third of all schools nationwide) and 205 early childhood centres. But this year, there are a further 10,000 children in 260 schools and early childhood centres who still need to be reached, the largest waitlist in the charity’s 19-year-history.
Created by The Monkeys Aotearoa, part of Accenture Song, the new campaign pulls on the heartstrings of New Zealanders by bringing this waitlist to life, to show just how many children are preparing to go throughout winter without essential items like food, jackets and shoes.
The campaign includes broadcast TV, outdoor, press, digital, radio and social. Localised outdoor, press and radio extensions in main metros around the country (including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin) detail the number of children on the waitlist in those locations, separate to the 10,000-plus children on the national waitlist.
KidsCan founder & CEO Julie Chapman says, “When kids are going cold and hungry, they can’t learn and are at risk of falling behind, so the repercussions are huge. We can’t forget about them and nor can we keep them waiting for support at such a critical time in their development.”
The Monkeys Aotearoa chief creative officer Damon Stapleton adds, “Helping everyone starts with helping someone, and in our latest work for KidsCan, we juxtaposed children’s song This Little Light of Mine up against the stark visuals of children in need to garner attention and leave viewers lingering on a hopeful message.
“We hope the campaign cuts through to touch all New Zealanders, urging them to support and get behind the work of this much needed charity.”