Navy Blues support Cyclone Harold relief

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 12 April 2020

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC and the Butterfly Trust are asking for donation to support the relief effort in Vanuatu following devastation wrought by Cyclone Harold.

Auckland City FC chairman Ivan Vuksich said it was important to be supportive of others, even at a difficult time for people in New Zealand.

"We've supported the Butterfly Trust for over eight years and always given time and resource to their projects in Vanuatu.

"We were there when Cyclone Pam struck four years ago and we've donated money and playing gear whenever possible.

"Our relationship with the people of Vanuatu has always been genuine and heartfelt, both on and off the playing field, and we now ask everyone to help - if they can - to support recovery following Cyclone Harold," he said.

Cyclone Harold hits Vanuatu, after killing 27 in Solomon Islands

It is a category five storm, the most severe, with 215km/h winds https://t.co/LeWqxUQowa
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 6, 2020

Butterfly Trust co-founder David Colbert said:

"We are a New Zealand registered charity which works primarily in Vanuatu.

"We listen to what Ni-Vanuatu (the people of Vanuatu) want, and then assist when asked with resourcing, administration, and monitoring and evaluation.

"We work from the national level to the grassroots village level, ensuring that all the projects we support fit within the strategic plans of the Vanuatu government.

"While most of the projects we support concentrate on long-term improvements to health and education, we also assist with disaster relief when necessary.

"This highly destructive category 5 cyclone has hit at a time when we are all fighting Covid-19.

"The timing could not be worse.

"Vanuatu is facing an uphill battle to keep its shores free of coronavirus, and now, at the same time, this very poor, island nation has to respond to, and recover from, Cyclone Harold.

"The recovery, due to coronavirus, will have to be internally driven.

"The Butterfly Trust is on the ground in Vanuatu and working closely with the Government-led cyclone response effort.

"Five years ago, a large number of people donated to help with the recovery from Cyclone Pam, also a category 5 cyclone.

"If you possibly can, and we understand this may be difficult, please now spare a donation of any amount to help combat the disastrous effects of Cyclone Harold.

If everyone gave just $50 this would make a big difference," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

Tropical Cyclone Harold has hit the Pacific islands wreaking havoc in its path. pic.twitter.com/OD7OfAbEAm
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 8, 2020

The details for donating are below.

100 percent of your donation will go into Cyclone Harold relief and recovery efforts.

How to donate:

1. New Zealand ASB Bank Account details:

Bank account number: 12-3233-0464934-50
Swift Code: ASBBNZ2A
Branch address: Address: Ground Floor, Botany Town Centre, 588 Chapel Road, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand.

2. National Bank of Vanuatu account details.

Bank account number: 0097433001
Swift Code: NBOVVUVU
Branch address: Rue de Paris, PO Box 249, Port Vila

3. Through New Zealand based crowdfunding site, givealittle https://givealittle.co.nz/org/butterflytrust

Please note that Givealittle charges a 5% service fee.

Ends