With the help of the Vodafone Streaming Squad, $4,252 has been raised to support four awesome community organisations helping youth facing disadvantage to navigate the challenges of lockdown, including Maoriland Charitable Trust, Insert Coin to Play, InsideOUT and The Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa.
A total of $2,126 was donated online, which will be doubled by the Vodafone Foundation as part of their Double Your $ program for Vodafone staff who arrange fundraising events – in this case organised by Social Media Lead, Kimberley Harcombe.
“We have four great streaming influencers via our partnership with Let’s Play Live, and when we asked them to get involved they were so happy to help,” explains Kimberley. “Everyone had lots of fun while raising money for rangatahi facing disadvantage, and I was humbled by everyone’s generosity during the stream.”
The Vodafone Streaming Squad is made up of four high-profile Kiwi gamers, including Rocketwerkz community manager Lorien “LoriiPops” Gugich, comedian and social media star Jimi Jackson, pop culture aficionado Jordan “Xenojay” Tini, and musician Kings. Each squad member streamed to their respective Twitch or Facebook channels, as well as it beaming live via the Vodafone NZ Facebook page (part 1 here and part 2 here) which received more than 100,000 views!
Head of Te Rourou, the Vodafone Foundation, Lani Evans, highlighted during the 2020 lockdown how important supporting community organisations are, and reemphasises: “COVID-19 and the rahui o te motu (national lockdown) is hard on us all. This situation highlights some of the existing inequalities in Aotearoa, and sadly appears to be widening the gap even further. There are many ways you can support – whether it’s donating money, goods or time – but every little bit counts.
“We’re pleased to be able to support fundraising efforts alongside Vodafone staff and partners, such as via this awesome Vodafone Streaming Squad initiative.”
Te Rourou and Vodafone NZ have a number of programs underway to help organisations in Aotearoa during heightened alert levels, in addition to longer term initiatives including donating devices to rangatahi via Lifewise and raising money via other fundraising events.
Watch a recap of the Vodafone Streaming Squad Charity Livestream here.