BLINDED SERVICEMEN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25208, 12 June 1947, Page 8

BLINDED SERVICEMEN

APPEAL MADE FOR FUNDS An appeal throughout Canterbury and Westland for funds to provide care and assistance for blinded servicemen of the two world wars has been launched by the Canterbury branch of the Commercial Travellers’ . and Warehousemen’s Association. Similar appeals, which hsve the full support of all branches of the Returned Services’ Association, have been started in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin. The Christchurch appeal will end with a street collection on July 4. The money raised by the sppeal will be used to provide for the after-care of blinded servicemen who have passed through St, Dunstan’s and received their occupational training. The scheme, which was first operated a'ter the war of 1914-18, is financed by the only patriotic fund in New ZealanJ administered outside Government control. The fund is administered gratuitously. and ensures that blinded servicemen are not faced with financial worries and ere able to maintain themselves comfortably. Grants are made for such items as the payment of rates, where necessary, the provision of educational assistance, and the purchase of trade equipment. Members of the association raised £28.165 for work in respect of servicemen of the 1914-18 war. and almost £24,000 of it has been spent. The total expenses connected with the fund were less than £lOO. A second fund is now being established, to care for blinded servicemen of the recent war. There are already about 30 of them in. New Zealand. In the event of a blinded serviceman dying, the fund provides assistance to his widow and family until they are able to maintain themselves. Mayor’s Donation “I am delighted to sponsor this fund, and heartily recommend it as worthy of the generous support of the citizens.” said the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) yesterday. Mr Andrews made a donation of £5O to the fund. Donations should be sent to the secretary of the association (Mr J. A. Fox). Box 33. Christchurch.