KidsCan named as All Blacks official charity

The All Blacks have named KidsCan as their official charity.

The three-year partnership was announced today at a launch at a South Auckland primary school.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said: "We are really proud to have KidsCan as the Official Charity of the All Blacks".

"The team is keen to support organisations that help more New Zealand kids be healthy and happy," he said.

The KidsCan charitable trust is a nationwide organisation that helps disadvantaged children.

It started three years ago following concerns that many children in low-decile schools were going without basic needs.

KidsCan said amongst other things it has handed out 240,000 meals a year to children at schools around the country.

General manager of KidsCan Julie Helson said: "The association with the All Blacks will raise the profile of KidsCan so that every household in New Zealand is aware of how significant the issue of child poverty has become."

Today the NZRU also announced Plunket will become an official partner of the All Blacks and the NZRU.

- NZ HERALD STAFF