#2193 ... Buddy

/p> Kevin Christie is the Founder and CEO of Footsteps, making sure that the children/tamariki remain our number one priority and that the whānau is kept working and happy. "Children can’t prevent child abuse – but adults can." And what better way to start conversations about the wellbeing of kids, than to send thousands of life size cardboard 'children' into the community for a day with business people, politicians, Iwi and members of the public! And that’s what they did on Buddy Day – New Zealand’s only community event aimed at raising awareness and starting conversations about the role every adult plays in preventing child abuse. Everyone, everywhere can show they care and take part in Buddy Day 2013. If you’re a school in Central Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga or Central Wellington, you can create one or more of our 1200 Buddies who will be adopted by an adult carer on Buddy Day. If you’re an adult or an organisation in these regions you can be a Buddy Carer and adopt one or more of our 1200 Buddies for a day. It’s free to take part and all you need to do is collect your decorated Buddy from one of our breakfast event centres. ... and here are Kevin and Ryan with LeRoy at Mojos on the Waterfront ... top left image ... now LeRoy's adventure doesn't end here ... after this he is doing the Routeburn Track and then 80km of the around Taupo cycle event. If you’re not in one of these locations, you can order a 'Buddy pack' online and have your own Buddy Day fun, or simply show your support through a donation.