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Richard Barter (NZ-Micro Enterprise)

From: seacliffe@gmail.com on behalf of Richard Barter [richard@tearfund.org.nz]

Sent: Wednesday, 26 March 2008 8:16 a.m.
To: Rob Holding
Subject: Making a Difference supporting the Power to the Puppies Appeal

Hi Rob,

Next week is the RNZFB's Red Puppy Appeal. As one who has reached that age when my arms are
getting shorter and I have to reach for the supermarket glasses more often, I can start to appreciate
just how much of a hassle a reduction in eye sight can be, let alone having little or none.

I will either be at home 625 8807, or on the bat phone today. Am taking Susan to a 2pm doctors
appointment so not sure how long it will take. I will have the notes tucked in my pocket ready for
your call.

Warmly
Richard

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is New Zealand's primary provider of vision-
related habilitation and rehabilitation services to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people.

Each year nearly 1,200 New Zealanders who have gone blind or experienced serious sight loss
register as RNZFB members. The RNZFB equips its 11,700 members with the adaptive skills,
technology and resources they need to create new beginnings and lead independent lives.

The RNZFB is constituted under the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act 2002, and is
an organisation which is accountable to its members. Eight of the nine Board Directors are elected
by the Foundation's blind, deafblind and vision-impaired membership. This means that its members
now actively influence the RNZFB through consultation, via the Board election process and by
attending annual or special meetings.

Through our website, you can find out where we've come from, what we stand for, how the
organisation operates, and information about our membership and the types of eye conditions
members have.

Our Vision
Blind and vision-impaired people have the same opportunities and choices as other citizens to
participate fully in society.

Our Mission
z provide services and training to enable blind and vision-impaired people to overcome the
barriers that inhibit independence and participation;
z enable blind and vision-impaired people to take charge of their own lives and to enjoy the
same rights and responsibilities as their sighted peers;
z promote awareness of the unique needs of blind and vision-impaired people; and
z work with other agencies to further the interests of blind and vision-impaired people.

7/04/2008
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Library, Information Services and Braille

5,648 library members
the Library holds 8,223 talking book titles and 8,529 braille titles
Issued 393,768 books and magazines in all formats from the Parnell and Homai libraries in
2005/2006
The Telephone Information Service received 200,664 calls in the past year totalling 30,157 listening
hours
157,046 braille pages were produced

Guide Dog Services

108 puppies bred in 2005/2006
37 guide dogs graduated and 16 were matched and pending graduation in 2005/2006
Number of working guide dogs in New Zealand: 273
Number of guide dogs graduated since 1973: 893

Power to the Puppies!

Welcome to our new site!

Thank you for visiting our site. The RNZFB Guide Dog Services embarked on a new campaign last
year (2007), and it was very successful. Your support helped us over the million dollar mark, Woof
(Hooray)!
We hope you enjoy your visit, and if you have any feedback on the site, please let us know.

So what's new on the site?

Stella, the star of our red puppy appeal is off for guidedog assessment!

You can find out more about the appeal – why giving Power to the Puppies is not only important for
the puppies, but also to many blind, deaf blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders.
There is information on ways you can get involved and make a difference, no matter how small. Plus
if you're feeling generous with your time, and we know it's tough these days, you can register to
volunteer a small amount of your time, and be a Red Puppy Powerpal. A little goes a long way...

If you're finding time isn't on your side and you would love to make a donation, well you can do that
right here. Any amount will do for us, after all we appreciate the fact you've got this far.
Plus we have information on what's going on with the Appeal, or if you simply want to get in touch
with us and tell us how much you love our puppies, we won't think you're barking, because we love
them too.

It costs the Foundation of the Blind's Guide Dog Services over $22,500 to breed, raise, train and
match a guide dog. Please help me to empower many blind, deafblind and vision-impaired New
Zealanders.

Contact
Media

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If you would like to profile one of our fantastic guide dog teams in your area please give us a call –
your supports is much appreciated. Phone 09 355 6906 of 09 355 6884 or email
commspr@rnzrf.org.nz

General Public
If you'd like more information on the Red Puppy Appeal or would like to find out about other ways
you can help or participate please call 0800 24 33 33

www.redpuppy.org.nz

www.rnzfb.org.nz

Our Red Puppies Need You!

Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB)
5 March 2008
Media Release

Our Red Puppies Need You!

The RNZFB's Red Puppy Appeal is on soon, and we still need hundreds more volunteer collectors to
help! By volunteering your time, you can help our Red Puppies bring freedom and independence to a
blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person's life.

"Guide Dog Services receives no government funding. So, to help us meet the ever increasing
demand for guide dogs, we need to raise over $1 million during the Red Puppy Appeal. Public
support is critical," says Dianne Armstrong, Head of Regional Fundraising.

Even just one hour of collecting between Friday 4 April - Sunday 6 April, can make a huge
difference! To volunteer please phone 0800 REDPUPPY (0800 733 787) to speak with your nearest
RNZFB Regional Fundraising Manager or apply online at www.redpuppy.org.nz

"By giving power to the Red Puppies, they can grow up as world-class guide dogs and empower
blind people to live independently. The difference a guide dog makes is immense, but it's very
expensive to breed, raise, train and match each one. With around 32 people on the waiting list, that's
a lot of loose change we need to collect!"

Donations to the Red Puppy Appeal can be made now – To donate $3 text RED to 469, to donate
$20 phone 0900 RED PUPPY (0900 733 787) or please give generously when you see a volunteer
collector out and about during the appeal.

ENDS

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For more information please contact:

Caitlin Sinclair, RNZFB Communications Co-ordinator, Ph 09 355 6884 or 021 802 095

Or

Teuila Field, RNZFB Communications Co-ordinator, Ph: 09 355 6906 or 021 810 003

--
richard barter | manager resource development | TEAR Fund NZ

Ph +64 9 620 3014 | freephone 0800 800 061 | fx +64 9 629 1050 | cell 021 277 | 1213 po box 8315
auckland | 159d stoddard road, mount roskill | richard@tearfund.org.nz | www.tearfund.org.nz

7/04/2008