The Macquarie Group has donated $13,000 to the UN Children’s Fund for life-saving water projects in Laos.

The money comes as part of Macquarie Group’s scheme to match staff fundraising, after Graham Rhodes, a business analyst with Macquarie Capital Advisors, helped raise $13,000 for UNICEF projects.

Mr Rhodes was one of a group of Young Leaders who took up a challenge to raise money for UNICEF after attending the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Young Leaders’ Forum last year.

The staff matching program is run by Macquarie Group’s philanthropic arm, the Macquarie Group Foundation, which in the last financial year contributed more than $23 million to over 800 community organisations around the world.

UNICEF Executive Director, Dennis McKinlay, says that the Macquarie Group’s generosity is greatly appreciated.

“The lack of good quality water is a major issue in the developing world, where about 1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water.

“Macquarie Group’s matching donation will help to make a significant difference for children in Laos, where water-related illnesses caused by poor sanitation and hygiene conditions are the second largest killer of children.”

Related links: Macquarie doubles Young Leaders’ fundraising for UNICEF



(C) Asia New Zealand Foundation

Executive Director of UNICEF NZ, Dennis McKinlay, receiving the cheque from the Executive Chairman of Macquarie Group NZ, Jim McLay.