Aitutaki appeal committee seeks advice on use of funds raised

A simple process and policy that will ensure the usefulness of funds collected by the Aitutaki Cyclone Appeal committee is maximized for the cyclone damaged island is now being developed.
Using the funds wisely and to maximum impact is what the committee wants to achieve, reassures Chairman George George.
To date $146,935 has been raised and banked in the ACA Westpac account. About $15,000 in unpaid radio-thon pledges remain outstanding. George says the committee wishes to close its books at the end of the business day on Wednesday 10th March with a final reconciliation done on Friday. Any outstanding radio-thon pledges not received by Wednesday will be written off.
“There’ve been some negative comments and gossip about the fund – the public are reassured that it is safe and will be used on an area where our people in Aitutaki will gain the most benefit.”
The committee has sought advice from Aid Management head Garth Henderson who is familiar with dealing with funding projects. “Being part Aitutakian, Garth also has a vested interest in seeing that the money we have raised is used in the best possible way or ways, and he has given us some excellent advice.”
Henderson has told the committee to proceed cautiously and to choose a project or projects that will benefit those in the most need and are long lasting. He is assisting with the development of a process and policy that the committee will use as a guideline for fund distribution.
Committee member Doreen Boggs, who is also on the finance team, is scheduled to be in Aitutaki on Monday 8th March to meet with Aitutaki Red Cross, schools, island council and will assess the current situation. She will report back to the committee on her return. George says this will help the committee make a more informed decision on how best to assist. Boggs is traveling at her own expense on a special fare kindly provided by Air Raro.
Cost estimates of total damage and labour is approximately $21 million. “What we have managed to raise through the generosity of our people is like a drop in a bucket, so we must target it to the best use, make a big difference and lasting impact,” says George.
“The most important thing is to make wise, good choices, we on the committee are all accountable.”
George confirmed that a master list of all donors and the amounts they have contributed is being completed so that everyone who has given to the appeal is recorded.
People wishing to honour radio-thon pledges they have made are asked to please take their donation to Nga Takaiti upstairs at the Westpac Bank by Wednesday.
- Aitutaki Cyclone Appeal media release