They are called Flip-Flops in the UK and US, Thongs in Australia, Slip-Slops in South Africa and Sandals in Hawaii, but here in New Zealand there’s only one name for our favourite footwear Jandals.
Tomorrow (Friday 2 December) over 1500 jandal-clad surf lifeguards will be hitting the streets collecting for Surf Life Saving’s national appeal day. Everyone across the country is encouraged wear their jandals and donate generously to National Jandal Day to help lifeguards save more lives on New Zealand’s beaches this summer.
Proudly supported by State, National Jandal Day has quickly become a fun start to summer, and over the past four years New Zealander’s have jumped at the chance to wear jandals while going about their every day business. Over 150 schools are supporting the popular appeal day again this year with coin trails, mufti-days and sausage sizzles and 430 businesses have also registered their support, all promising to wear jandals on the day.
Other than giving to collectors there are many other easy was to donate. Simply text SWIM to 4463 to make an instant $3 donation, make an online donation at www.nationaljandalday.co.nz or purchase a NJD keyring at any Countdown supermarket for $3.
Donations received will go to Surf Life Saving clubs throughout New Zealand allowing them to train more lifeguards, increase patrols and buy essential equipment to help save lives and prevent injuries.
There are 3800 dedicated volunteer lifeguards who give up their summer to protect New Zealanders. Last season they prevented over 1300 people from drowning on our beaches.
Brett Sullivan, GM of Programmes and Services for Surf Life Saving New Zealand said; “For Kiwis, our beaches are our favourite playground, yet we have almost double the drowning rate of Australia. Drowning is the third highest cause of unintentional death in New Zealand. The services we provide on our beaches touch thousands of ordinary Kiwis every year. As a charity we rely on the big-hearted support of the public, so please donate generously tomorrow.”
