Copper trails, brass razoos and gold sovereigns are all part of the Lions Clubs of New Zealand’s unusual campaign Heads Up for Kids.

Launched in July 2010, Heads Up for Kids is a unique collection which asks New Zealanders to dig out and donate old decimal and pre-decimal New Zealand currency, and all foreign money.  The obsolete cash is then redeemed for New Zealand dollars and used to fund education programmes and scholarships for New Zealand youth.

Because the obsolete currency is no longer legal tender, and foreign coins cannot be exchanged in this country, the project is not in competition with other fundraising dollars.

A number of young people have already benefited from Heads Up for Kids, receiving scholarships to Spirit of Adventure and Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centres.

To date Lions have collected over eight and a half tonnes of coins and thousands of banknotes bringing the total raised to $220,000. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has estimated that there is $116 million in old NZ coins and banknotes unaccounted for.   

There’s plenty more coins still out there and Lions Clubs of New Zealand are hoping to collect $1 million.

If you have any old coins or foreign currency that you would like to donate, please take them to your nearest Resene Colorshop (Nationwide) or New World stores (in Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Taranaki, and Hawkes Bay).

Or call to 0800 Old Money to have a Lion collect it from you.

For further information, please contact Project Manager Olivia Lacey,               (04) 471 0335        or email Olivia Lacey

Catch the Heads Up for Kids story on Campbell Live http://bit.ly/HeadsUpCampbellLive

Heads Up for Kids is supported by: