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Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Restaurant Brands (KFC) Finalists in 2023 NZ Sport and Recreation Awards
Friday, 2 June 2023Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) and Restaurant Brands (KFC) are thrilled to announce that they have been named finalists in this year’s New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards in the Commercial Partnership category.
The annual awards celebrate individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to enhance people’s lives through sport and recreation.
Since August 2012, KFC and SLSNZ have been working closely together, making the 2022/23 season the 10th anniversary of their partnership.
Jo Clark, SLSNZ Head of Commercial and Marketing, said, “KFC has always been an active partner, willing to engage with new ideas to raise the profile of Surf Lifesaving and to raise funds to support the movement. They have encouraged their restaurant staff and customers to fundraise over and above what is expected and have been willing to trial new technologies for SLSNZ, such as tap-to-donate electronic units in restaurants.”
Corporate social responsibility has been one of the driving factors behind KFC’s association with SLSNZ as they remain committed to supporting the organisation and its surf lifeguards through fundraising efforts while also elevating their work and promoting beach safe messaging.
Clark Wilson, Restaurant Brands General Manager of Marketing, said, “Restaurant Brands (through KFC) is extremely proud to have been a Gold Partner of SLSNZ for over 10 years as we see the importance in supporting volunteers who patrol our beaches and keep Kiwis safe.”
During the 2022/23 season, KFC donated more than $200,000 to SLSNZ and the Orewa and United North Piha Clubs after the flooding earlier in the year. One of the most successful promotions was the limited edition KFC merchandise, which included a Hawaiian shirt, towels, bucket hats, and a one-of-a-kind, KFC-branded surfboard. The public could buy these items, with 100% of the close to $50,000 proceeds going to support SLSNZ.
Additionally, $27,000 was raised from KFC’s, world first, 21st Over for Good at the Black Clash, and the company donated money from every bucket of chicken sold during the summer. This was all supported by a successful and extremely popular television commercial.
Wilson said, “We know that SLSNZ really resonates with Kiwis and we value working with the team at SLSNZ. They are a great partner with a high level of engagement, working together with our marketing team and agency to bring to life campaigns and initiatives.”
Raelene Castle, Sport NZ Group Chief Executive, said, “There was a very high standard of entries again this year, which made selecting the finalists even more difficult for the judges. Thank you to all the organisations who put forward nominations.”
The winners for the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on Monday, 24 July.
About Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ)
SLSNZ represents 74 Surf Lifesaving clubs with 18,000+ members, including more than 4,500 volunteer surf lifeguards. Our surf lifeguards patrol over 90 locations each summer, saving hundreds of lives each year, and ensuring thousands return home safe after a day at the beach. Our volunteer search and rescue squads provide emergency call-out rescue services throughout the year across Aotearoa. We do all this as a charity and rely on the generosity of the public, commercial partners, foundations and trusts for donations and financial contributions.