Julian Dennison named new World Vision 40 Hour Famine ambassador
01 May 2019 by Chloe Irvine, Head of External Affairs
Teen star set to travel to Uganda to meet with South Sudanese refugees.
One of New Zealand’s most loved young actors, Julian Dennison, has teamed up with World Vision New Zealand as the 2019 40 Hour Famine Ambassador.
This year’s 40 Hour Famine, to be held over the weekend of the 7 - 9 June, will raise money for life-saving aid for hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese refugee children who have fled to Uganda.
Best-known for his roles in Deadpool and Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Dennison will travel with World Vision New Zealand to visit refugee settlements in Northern Uganda in the leadup to the 40 Hour Famine. While there, he will meet with young refugees to find out about the impact fleeing war-torn South Sudan has had on them. Julian will share his journey to Uganda with his followers across his social media channels.
“I’ve taken part in the 40 Hour Famine myself, and I feel so honoured to be able to go and meet with refugee kids and be able to tell their stories to people back home in New Zealand.”
Every year more than 90,000 Kiwi kids take part in World Vision's 40 Hour Famine, giving up food, technology, furniture, or something else. Dennison says he can’t wait to see what this year’s participants choose to do.
“I’m going to be doing the 40 Hour Famine. It’s great to know that here in New Zealand we can do something that will help some amazing kids on the other side of the world.”
World Vision New Zealand National Director Grant Bayldon says having Dennison involved with the 40 Hour Famine will get a whole new group of young New Zealanders interested.
“We’re so excited to have Julian on board for this year’s 40 Hour Famine. It’s inspiring to see how passionate Julian is about using his voice to raise awareness and money for the South Sudanese refugee crisis. We hope that other young Kiwis feel just as passionate as Julian and join him by taking part in this year’s 40 Hour Famine.”
Bayldon says the 40 Hour Famine will give South Sudanese refugee children hope for a better future, by bringing them essential aid like food, water, shelter and education.
Contact:
Chloe Irvine, Head of External Affairs, World Vision New Zealand
Chloe.Irvine@worldvision.org.nz | +64 22 340 4271