It takes more than two years to breed and train a Blind Low Vision NZ guide dog, and so the regular support of Puppy Sponsors is essential to support these amazing wee puppies through their training. Face to face fundraising enables us to talk to thousands of New Zealanders about guide dogs and the difference these puppies will one day make for Kiwis who are blind or have low vision.

Blind Low Vision NZ is a member of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA). The PFRA works with charities to ensure quality, integrity and transparency in face to face fundraising by creating an atmosphere of public confidence and regulatory satisfaction.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all fundraisers have been put through updated health and safety processes to ensure they understand how to keep themselves and members of the public safe and physical distancing is being observed, as per the Ministry of Health’s requirements.

Our fundraisers care about the health of the community and adhere to strict Ministry of Health safety procedures. Blind Low Vision NZ have conducted a thorough risk assessment to ensure all activity is carried out safely and compliantly and is in line with Government and Ministry of Health Guidelines and PFRA (Public Fundraising Regulatory Association) for all Traffic Light settings, and have put the following measure to keep the public and their fundraisers safe at this time. These are as follows:

• Fundraising activity remains contactless, and fundraisers must adhere to social distancing requirements. They must stand at least 1 metre back wherever possible at all times.
• Fundraisers must remain outdoors during the conversation.
• All Fundraisers have been briefed on the COVID policy so they understand all requirements they are to adhere to, during all traffic light settings.
• Fundraisers are given regular Health and Safety briefing during this time to ensure policies are clear and updated as required and have completed the PFRA online CovidSAFE training module before returning to work.
• Fundraisers must adhere to social distancing requirements.  They must stand 1 metre back wherever possible at all times.
• All fundraisers have masks and wear them whenever required by the current traffic light setting, particularly where social distancing of 1 metre is not possible.
• Fundraisers offer contact tracing to any member of the public via the NZ Covid-19 Tracker QR Code – the code is specific to each team working together in a suburb.
• Fundraisers keep a record of all addresses visited to assist with contact tracing.
• There will be no handout of collateral to people at the door during current Orange Traffic Light settings.
• All fundraisers carry hand sanitiser and iPads are wiped down after each use.
• If someone is sick, they are required to stay home, without exception and follow the Healthline advice regarding COVID-19 testing.

Legitimate Blind Low Vision NZ face to face fundraisers will:

• Be wearing an official orange vest displaying the Blind Low Vision NZ logo.
• Be displaying an identification badge with their name, photo and identification number.
• Never ask for or accept a cash donation
• Be carrying up-to-date Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs literature and an iPad.

We are constantly looking at ways to reduce costs and to improve the performance of our fundraising efforts. Using iPads lowers the cost of administration; eliminates errors that could mean we can’t process your donation or contact you about it, and it is extremely secure. For example, personal information and donation details (e.g. credit card details) are instantly encrypted using bank-grade encryption.

Christchurch suburbs:

• Avonside
• Bromley
• Bryndwr
• Cashmere
• Fendalton
• Hillmorton
• Hoonhay
• Huntsbury
• Merivale
• Phillipstown
• St Alban’s
• St Martin’s
• Woolston

Christchurch Fundraisers:

• Stephanie Beech
• Angel Visto

Queenstown suburbs:

• Albert Town
• Arrowtown
• Arthur’s Point
• Ben Lomond
• Cardrona
• Dalefield
• Drift Bay
• Fernhill
• Frankton
• Glenorchy
• Jacks Point
• Kawerau Falls
• Kingston
• Lake Hayes Estate
• Lower Shotover
• Mount Creighton
• Queenstown
• Queenstown Hill
• Speargrass Flat
• Sunshine Bay
• Wanaka

Queenstown Fundraisers:

• Jemma Perrin

Wellington suburbs:

• Avalon
• Churton Park
• Hataitai
• Johnsonville
• Khandallah
• Makribank
• Mount Cook
• Mount Vic
• Newlands
• Northland
• Paparangi
• Plimmerton
• Taita
• Tawa
• Thorndon
• Totara Park
• Wainuiomata
• Whitby

Wellington Fundraisers:

• Caleb Goodwin
• Edward Walker
• Pete Cartwright
• Floyd Marsden