Call to hand out orange gerberas | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

Arthritis New Zealand urgently needs more people to step forward and volunteer their time for the charity's Annual Appeal Street Collection Day on September 24.

It costs over $5 million a year to provide the charity's essential services to arthritis sufferers in New Zealand - the government funds approximately 12 per cent. The balance is met through individual donations and fundraising activities such as the national Annual Appeal week from September 21 to 28.

Chief executive Sandra Kirby says: "We are looking for people of all ages - children, grandparents and all stages in-between to give us a couple hours of their day on September 24 to collect on the streets and give out our striking orange gerberas. The money we raise from this time will be used to support our services in your area."

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in New Zealand and impacts on the lives of over 530,000 New Zealanders. Often it's wrongly referred to as an 'old person's disease', when in fact over half of those diagnosed in New Zealand are of the working age and around a 1000 are children and young adults.

If you are able to volunteer your time, phone 0800 663 463.