Women’s Refuge launches new campaign for its Safe-Night-a-thon via EightyOne

EightyOne has developed a new campaign for Women’s Refuge ‘Safe-Night-a-thon’, which kicks off today, Friday, 6 August, and runs until 15 August.

Kiwis can win one of 11 extraordinary money-can’t-buy experiences as part of the Safe Night intiative, including climbing a tree with superstar actress Thomasin McKenzie, having indie-pop sensation Benee sing you Happy Birthday, getting sporting glamour couple Beauden and Hannah Barrett drop your kids at school, designing a Barbie outfit with fashion legend Karen Walker plus much more.

The Safe-Night-a-thon aims to raise 10,000 Safe Nights over 10 days in a massive drive to keep thousands of women across Aotearoa New Zealand safe from family violence. Gifting a Safe Night costs just $20, with a few clicks at the Safe-Night-a-thon page: safenightathon.co.nz. Everyone who donates a Safe Night ensures someone in need has access to a safe bed, hot meals, security, childcare, and advice.

Miranda Harcourt, face of the Safe Night initiative, said the campaign had proved hugely successful since its launch 18 months ago. The Safe-Night-a-thon is designed to supercharge its successes, and take care of even more women and children across the country: “It’s so easy to gift someone a Safe Night, someone who you may never meet, but whom you will help at a time they need it most. We’ve been blown away by support for the campaign so far and can’t wait to see how much we can raise during the Safe-Night-a-thon.”

Dr Ang Jury, chief executive of Women’s Refuge, said Kiwis’ generosity had made a huge difference to the lives of thousands. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the developed world. The pressures of COVID had increased the risks to women and children: “The way this campaign has been supported by Kiwis across Aotearoa New Zealand has been an amazing demonstration of the way our community can come together to support the vulnerable women and children we work with.

“Across the country, each and every night, scores of women and children go off to sleep in one of our refuges – close to 50,000 bed nights over the past year. This support from generous Kiwis allows us to keep them safe, warm and protected from further harm.”