During the year the Group continued to make donations in cash or product in support of local charities.

Total expenditure for donations and sponsorship was $93,566 (2007: $113,858).

The Group recognises that it is dependent on the support of the community and the need to promote its products and services to the community.

The Group extensively supports charitable organisations in its many locations by involvement in fund raising activities such as raffles and lotteries. Much of this effort is put into raising funds in conjunction with the Group’s retail promotions and media partners.

The Group also supports organisations such as the IHC, Ronald McDonald House in Canterbury and is the major sponsor of the Santa Parade in Christchurch.

In the past two years the Group has combined with the Naval Point Club Lyttelton to organise a yacht race to raise funds for charity. In February approximately $30,000 was raised to help Youthline achieve its objective of installing facilities to allow nationwide texting as a means of communicating with teenagers.

                                                                                        Read More on the Yacht Race...