Volunteer Blind Week collectors will hit the streets from Friday until Sunday, just in time to save kiwis from the burden of having old coins filling up their pockets and sock drawers.

"Those old 50, 20, 10 and 5 cent coins won't be legal tender after next Tuesday,  so we'll gladly take them off your hands. Actually, we don't mind the new coins or notes either," says Patrick Holmes, RNZFB's Divisional Manager of Fundraising.

The Foundation urgently needs to raise $1.1 million during Blind Week (24-30 October). The Foundation is under increasing pressure to provide services for its 11,700 blind, deafblind and vision-impaired members, aged from newborns to 107.   

Services include teaching members to get around safely and manage daily living skills like cooking and cleaning. The Foundation also provides Talking Books, adaptive technology training and job placement, counseling, guide dogs, peer support and advocacy.

"We worked closely with the Reserve Bank to ensure that our members could distinguish the new coins and thus continue to shop independently. It's a lovely coincidence that Blind Week falls right when the old coins are about to be done and dusted. We're happy to take the old coins off your hands. It's truly time to use it, lose it or give it to us!" says Patrick.

Adds Reserve Bank Currency Manager Brian Lang:  "With only five days to go, the Reserve Bank is encouraging people to dig out their old 50, 20, 10 and 5 cent coins and either use, bank or donate them. From 1 November 2006, the old 50, 20, 10 and 5 cent coins will no longer be legal tender, which means retailers do not have to accept them as payment for goods. So if you don't want to be stuck with loads of old coins - there's never been a better time to empty your coin jars, sweep the car glove box and rummage behind the couch cushions."

Ends 

For further information please contact:  the RNZFB’s Sarah Byers on 09 355 6906 or 021 752 875; or the Reserve Bank’s Anthea Black on 04 471 3767 or 021 222 5225.