14 November 2005

Money has already started to grow on Pacific Retail Finance Limited (PRF)’s ‘Money Tree’, the spectacular fundraising initiative for the Child Cancer Foundation which officially launches at the Ellerslie Flower Show tomorrow (Tuesday 15 November).
PRF, one of New Zealand’s leading consumer financial services companies and a key sponsor of the 2005 Ellerslie Flower Show, has especially commissioned a three-metre high ‘Money Tree’ to take a prime position at this year’s show. Visitors will be invited to make a cash donation to the Child Cancer Foundation with the money immediately attached to the tree so everyone can watch it grow.

Already more than $3,000 has been pledged to the tree by brokers, investors and suppliers to PRF. PRF spokesman Mike Frederickson says the Money Tree is designed to create a unique and memorable way of generating support for a very worthy cause.

“With nearly 70,000 people travelling from all over the country to attend the Ellerslie Flower Show we believe we should be able to raise a large amount of money for the Child Cancer Foundation. We urge visitors to support this great cause and look forward to watching the tree grow further over the next five days,” he says.

The tree will be launched by four-year-old Lexi Primrose, the face of this year’s Child Cancer Foundation Appeal, at the official opening of the Ellerslie Flower Show. The money raised will be handed over after the conclusion of the show.

Jim Barclay, CEO of the Child Cancer Foundation, says the charity welcomes PRF’s initiative and believes it will be one of the most outstanding fundraising initiatives for 2005.

“We think it is a brilliant and innovative concept and believe it will create real interest at the show. We are confident it will result in generating considerable support for the Child Cancer Foundation.

“The money collected on the PRF Money Tree will make a huge impact to the lives of children with cancer and their families,” he says.

In another exciting initiative PRF is thrilled to sponsor the Pacific Retail Finance Marquee: the Kiwi Garden from Cultivation to Inspiration designed by young and inspirational designer Xanthe White. The garden at the Ellerslie Flower Show will feature more than 20,000 plants and flowers in honour of New Zealand’s gardening heritage.

The Ellerslie Flower Show is being held from 16 – 20 November at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

For further information, please contact:

Mike Frederickson
Pacific Retail Finance
0272 463 369

PACIFIC RETAIL FINANCE LIMITED

Pacific Retail Finance is a leader in the consumer financial services market, a market that is characterised by a wide spread of credit risk across a large number of borrowers.

PRF’s offers a range of products in the consumer finance sector, with its principal activities being the purchase of personal loans and hire purchase contracts using funds raised from the issue of its first ranking secured debenture stock. These personal loans and hire purchase contracts are purchased from parent company Pacific Retail Services Limited.

The personal loans are made to individuals for a variety of purposes, including vehicle purchase, home improvements and debt consolidation. The hire purchase contracts for the purchase of consumer goods are with customers of well-known New Zealand retailers.

To celebrate the Ellerslie Flower Show, PRF has introduced a new rate on first ranking secured debenture stock – 9.15%  p.a. for investments of 12 months*.

*All rates are quoted on a per annum basis and are subject to change without notice. Minimum investment is $5,000. The Pacific Retail Group Limited (or any member of that group) does not guarantee any investment offering from Pacific Retail Finance Limited.

THE CHILD CANCER FOUNDATION

The Child Cancer Foundation is a not-for-profit charity that primarily exists to support children with cancer, their families, loved ones, and the health professionals who treat them.

The Foundation has four divisions based in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, supporting 23 branches throughout the country.

The Foundation does not receive any government funding, nor funding from other cancer support agencies, and relies solely on the generosity of big-hearted New Zealanders.