Charities awarded $13k in fuel vouchers

Charities in Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty are being given a $13,000 boost.

Each year charity organisations are given a helping hand in the way of petrol vouchers as part of BP's Vouchers for Volunteers programme.

In Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, 28 charities have been recognised by the programme.

Nationwide, more than $185,000 worth of vouchers has been dished out with $13,000 going to local organisations.

The Bay of Plenty recipient of the largest amount was Whakatane Kiwi Trust, which was given $3000.

The Whakatane Kiwi Trust is actively involved in the management of kiwi to support breeding, the monitoring of populations and predator control and minimisation.

BP managing director Matt Elliott said the Whakatane Kiwi Trust was a deserving recipient.

"The region is lucky to have such a unique natural environment and an organisation that is focused on preserving that environment for future generations," he said. "With its Whakatane Kiwi Project, the trust is making sure the community gets to hear the call of the kiwi in its natural environment for many years to come.

"We are delighted to be able to contribute to the trust's great work with a share of the more than $185,000 of vouchers donated to charities around New Zealand."

Mr Elliott said BP was proud to be involved in the scheme which has been running for seven years.

"Every day thousands of volunteers give up their spare time to help others who are less fortunate. This is our way of saying thank you and to do our bit to ensure volunteers can continue their good work," he said.

Other organisations which have been given vouchers include St Johns' Church Foodbank Rotorua, Rotorua Hospital Chaplaincy Trust, Rotorua Youth Centre, Reporoa St John and Whakatane Community Patrol.

For a full list of the charities that were given vouchers, visit www.bp.co.nz.