Barefoot Business Day

An Auckland law firm conducted their business day in bare feet after taking up a challenge by charity KidsCan StandTall for New Zealand corporations to support The Big Night In, Telethon screening on TV3 in August.. The legal team at Lowndes Jordan dubbed July 10th 2009 Barefoot Business Day all turned up to work in normal business attire but without shoes.

The legal team at Lowndes Jordan have dubbed July 10th 2009 Barefoot Business Day, and will be sponsored by friends and relatives to wear normal business attire but no shoes.

Lowndes Jordan Partner, Rick Shera says his company is not only raising money for the KidsCan StandTall charity but is highlighting the fact that thousands of New Zealand children around the country arrive at school every day without shoes.

"We can't imagine what it would be like for these kids to go to school particularly on cold and wet days wearing no shoes," he says, "For one day we are going to experience what that's like and are calling out to other New Zealand businesses to do the same and help us raise money for KidsCan StandTall."

Each $20 raised will buy one pair of shoes for the KidsCan StandTall shoes programme. Julie Helson is calling all New Zealand businesses to take up the challenge of helping impoverished children "in our own backyard" by undertaking fundraising activities between now and The Big Night In Telethon screening on August 8th and 9th.

Other businesses that want to get in behind Barefoot Business Day can register their support by contacting Veronica Shale — Big Night In Corporate Fundraising Coordinator by email or by phone 0800 246 2009.

Companies can set up a fundraising page at www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/bignightin/ to get started on fundraising for Barefoot Business Day.