Copper trails, brass razoos and gold sovereigns are all part of the Lions Clubs of New Zealand’s unusual campaign Heads Up for Kids.
Launched in July 2010, Heads Up for Kids is a unique collection which asks New Zealanders to dig out and donate old decimal and pre-decimal New Zealand currency, and all foreign money. The obsolete cash is then redeemed for New Zealand dollars and used to fund education programmes for young New Zealanders who would otherwise not get the opportunity.
Because the obsolete currency is no longer legal tender, and foreign coins cannot be exchanged in this country, the project is not in competition with other fundraising dollars.
Over 100 young people have already benefited from Heads Up for Kids, receiving scholarships to organisations such as Spirit of Adventure and Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centres.
To date Lions have collected over 20 tonnes of coins and thousands of banknotes bringing the total raised close to $500,000. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand estimates that there is $80 million in old decimal and pre-decimal NZ coins and $20 million in old banknotes unaccounted for.
There are plenty more coins still out there and Lions Clubs of New Zealand are hoping to collect $1 million.
If you have any old coins or foreign currency that you would like to donate, please take them to your nearest Resene Colorshop or I-Site (Nationwide) or New World stores (in Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay). From here old money and foreign currency is couriered to the counting parlour by our kind sponsor Fastway Couriers.
Or call to 0800 Old Money to have a Lion collect it from you.
Contact
For further information, please contact Project Manager Pam Hawkins,
on email Headsupforkids@lionsclubs.org.nz
