Youthline gets help from Doughraiser - October 2015

GOOD WORKS:  Pictured at Domino's Pizza in Wanganui last night are Sarah Spence (left) and Francesca Palmer, both former Wanganui High School students.

Wanganui's Domino's Pizza took part in a national effort by the pizza chain to raise $30,000 for Youthline.

Described as the "first national fundraiser of its kind in New Zealand" by Youthline national spokesman Stephen Bell, the fundraiser involves the chain's 91 outlets.

From 4pm to 9pm one dollar from every pizza sold went towards Youthline's Go Forward suite: online tools designed for youth support and personal development.

 "They are making a very real contribution to New Zealand's young people and, through them, to our country's future," Mr Bell said.

Domino's Pizza general manager Scott Bush said the chain "really value the work that Youthline consistently do.

"We have been blown away by how many touchpoints they have with youths in New Zealand and we also understand the expense of running such a successful and multi-faceted organisation. We have set a target of $30,000 for this nationwide ‘Doughraiser' but I hope we smash this figure out of the park."

In addition to fundraising the company has developed an employment and training programme for young people called Connect the Dots.

"This programme gives participants hands-on industry experience and takes place at a Domino's store over two days. Participants learn basic food handling, customer service and how to be a good employee. Upon completion of the course they are fast tracked to a job within Domino's, or can use their new skills to gain employment in any other food handling role," Mr Bush said.