. This has been a self funded campaign for paddlers and managers alike. A lot of effort has gone into finding ways to help our paddlers get to this event. This initiative is designed to raise funds to give the paddlers as they leave the country. Each paddler's cost to attend this event has been between $3-4000.00 including uniform purchases. Our aim is to give them a little something to take away with them.

With only two weeks remaining the contingents are counting down, finalising their uniforms, awaiting their finalise travel itineraries, starting to think about the souvenirs and gifts they might take for swaps with other countries and their kapahaka performance preparation for the world audience.

Throughout the 24hrs we will attempt to interview as many of the contingent members, their management, their coaches, members of Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa, and previous Worlds participants as possible so you can hear about their journey to Worlds 2008 and learn more about these paddlers who bravethe chill waters and conditions of NZ to compete in 42 degree temperatures 12hrs away. Tune in to ......... and hear their stories and help support them on this journey.

Please support by circulating this communication to your networks and club members to help rally behind our rangatahi, our seniors and our kuia and kaumatua who shortly leave our shows to represent us.

How can you help:
- pass around this flyer to your club members and circulate to your networks
- perhaps make a pledge and challenge others to do so
- organise a cake stall, raffles, busking activities or any such activities where the funds raised can be pledged
- let us know if you know of anyone willing to donate services or goods that can be bid for on air perhaps
- ring up on air and be interviewed, we'd love to hear your waka story or of anyone you know who is participating


Attached is a copy of a flyer promoting the event and also a pledge form that will be used for recording phone, fax and email pledges. Below is a quick reference to how you or a friend can 'make a pledge':

Phone a pledge: 0800WAKAAMA / 0800925226
Fax a pledge: 04 801 5069
Email a pledge: [email protected]
Bank a pledge: Westpac, Lambton Quay Branch - 03 502 0571006 02 - Operation Medals