UNICEF has responded urgently to the immense need in Fiji after the Cyclone Winston ripped through the country, destroying homes, schools and livelihoods.
The support of UNICEF's work in Fiji following the cyclone is something many of the Newcastle Knights’ are passionate about given the strong contingent of players with Fijian heritage.
“We’re teaming up with UNICEF to try to raise as many funds as we can to help the people of Fiji,” Newcastle Knights captain Tariq Sims said.
“It’s devastating what happened in Fiji and I think everyone has to step in and do what they can to help build Fiji back up,” teammate Akuila Uate added, who has family living in Fiji.
The Knights are supporting UNICEF’s appeal with a bucket money collection, lead by Tariq and Akuila, at today's home match against the Canberra Raiders.
Sponsor nib generously kick off the fundraising efforts with a $10,000 donation.
“Charity we all know begins at home, but as the Knights roster highlights, we’ve adopted many sons of Fiji. It strengthens our community here in the Hunter to give back to Fiji, especially when it’s needed,” nib health funds Managing Director Mark Fitzgibbon said.
CLICK HERE to make your donation online if you can't make the game or can you text 'FIJI' to 1995 8888 to make an automatic $5 donation through your phone bill.
How UNICEF is assisting Fiji:
- More than 120,000 children are affected and need help with UNICEF delivering humanitarian supplies including water and sanitation kits and health supplies to ensure children’s wellbeing and prevent the outbreak of disease.
- More than 134 schools have been destroyed so UNICEF is delivering education supplies and providing temporary learning spaces to help children get back to their normal routine, recover from the stress of the disaster, and to keep them learning and keep them safe while their parents rebuild.
- More than 7 per cent of the population (62,400 people) are living in 873 evacuation centres.
- Donations will enable UNICEF to scale up its response to provide urgently needed humanitarian supplies to help children and families.
