Kickathon event
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Dan Carter's DC10 Fund raises over NZ $500,000 during 24-hour Kickathon to accelerate UNICEF’S Pacific WASH Programme.
All Black great and legend of the game Dan Carter’s inaugural DC10 event exceeds fundraising ambitions for children in the Pacific.
Auckland, 25 May - The world’s most decorated number 10, Dan Carter, has today announced the fundraising results of his DC10 24-hour Kickathon - a dedicated fundraising initiative in partnership with UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand.
Upon his return to Eden Park last month, Carter successfully completed his Kickathon challenge, converting 1,598 goal kicks within 24 hours and raising more than NZ $500,000 in public donations to support a joint New Zealand Aid Programme / UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand development initiative providing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to children in Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
“I am blown away by the support I received in the lead up to and during the Kickathon. It’s fair to say I loved pushing my mind and body to its limits throughout the 24 hours, but I always knew this event was much bigger than me. The impact that the donations will have on so many children’s lives was the one thing that kept pushing me through the pain barrier”, said Carter. “This is just the start for the DC10 Fund as I aspire to enhance the lives of children so they can fulfill their dreams just like I was able to as a kid," he continued.
Funds raised from the DC10 Fund Kickathon will ensure that UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand, together with partner governments in participating countries, can continue to provide communities with improved and equitable access to clean, sustainable drinking water and sanitation.
This includes the construction of water and sanitation facilities for schools and health centres that are functional, sustainable and resilient to natural disasters and contamination - an outcome that will benefit approximately 134,000 students, 832 schools and 38 healthcare facilities across Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu where approximately half of all children do not have access to basic sanitation.
Donations will also support continued education amongst parents, caregivers and children on the risks of poor WASH practices, menstruation care and unsafe hygiene management while empowering local communities with the skills to adopt safe sanitation and improve their hygiene systems.
As Michelle Sharp, UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, explained, “The Kickathon event was hugely successful in highlighting the needs of children in the Pacific and in raising funds to ensure that no child goes without their basic right to clean water and sanitation. We thank Dan for his efforts to inspire others throughout the day and night at the Kickathon, and the public for their generous donations to reach this target, which will support UNICEF to reach thousands of children across the Pacific.”
In his role as a UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand Ambassador, Carter will travel to the Pacific later in the year to support the roll-out of DC10 funding and personally understand the impact Kickathon donations have made in local schools and communities.