Local fundraisers available for interview

Humble acts of fundraising throughout Australia have the potential to raise thousands of dollars to help people rebuild their lives, particularly children, affected by the tsunami disaster in Asia, says Pamela Sutton, Plan's Marketing and Communications Manager.

Plan is a child centred community development organisation assisting with the tsunami relief effort - both in the immediate response and long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction work.

"Plan has received a number of requests from people wanting to donate goods such as shoes, clothes and blankets. But logistically it is almost impossible and financially it is uneconomical to send goods to the tsunami-affected regions," Ms Sutton said.

"We suggest that people turn their spare goods into money and hold a garage sale or sell these goods on an auction site like Ebay," she said. "Or sell plants or homemade items at your local market."

"As a donation to Plan, this money will be used to support rehabilitation in Sri Lanka in Hambantota and possibly other districts. In India and Indonesia, Plan is currently undertaking assessments for possible interventions on rebuilding communities," Ms Sutton said.

Other novel fundraising ideas might be to dedicate an existing activity or family celebration to Plan's REBUILDING ASIA appeal. Or you can enlist the support of your community and work together as a group such as your local school, sporting club or association and ask for their ideas as to how you can support Plan's REBUILDING ASIA Appeal.

Plan provides receipts for all donations and your family, friends and colleagues can also be provided with a receipt for their individual donations. Just send us their names and addresses and we will email or mail a receipt at the end of the financial year. All donations of $2 and over are tax deductable, Ms Sutton said.

"Workplaces that want to help those affected by the tsunamis rebuild their lives can also get involved long-term by joining Plan's Workplace Giving scheme. Or the entire workplace can sponsor a child or number of children. Money collected goes to helping the whole community, not just those children sponsored and their families," Ms Sutton said.

"As child sponsorship is the basic foundation of our work with children around the world, Plan also encourages Australians to sponsor a child or make a regular monthly gift. In the regions affected by the tsunamis, Plan has sponsorship programs operating in Sri Lanka," she said.

To help promote your fundraising activities for Plan's REBUILD ASIA Appeal, contact Plan for posters and flyers and collection tins.

To make a secure online donation to the Plan Australia REBUILDING ASIA Appeal, visit Plan.s website www.plan.org.au, call 1800 038 100 or SMS your name and donation to 0429 11 31 31.

Media enquiries for more information contact:

Pamela Sutton
Marketing and Communications Director
Plan Australia
Phone: 03 9672 3651
Mobile: 0410 583 062

Tim Cansfield-Smith
Media & Communications Manager
Plan Australia
Phone: 03 5348 3634
Mobile: 0411 642 194