TROOPS ON LEAVE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 9

TROOPS ON LEAVE

Y.M.C.A. TO EXTEND ACCOMMODATION

STREET APPEAL NEXT WEEK

Money raised from the Y.M.C.A.’s street appeal in Christchurch on Wednesday will be put towards building extensions planned by the organisation to enable it to provide overnight accommodation for Territorials on leave in Christchurch. The Y.M.C.A. needs about £3OOO to undertake the structural alterations to its building required to cater adequately for the 150 youths who seek bed and breakfast in Christchurch while on leave from Burnham Military Camp. The Y.M.C.A. building will be well able, when alterations have been completed, to cater for the needs of the troops. Besides the essentials of bed and breakfast, the organisation maintains a buffet service and information bureau, reading and writing rooms, swimming pool and showers, and provides facilities for sport and recreation during the week-end. The Christchurch City Council has given £lOO to the Y.M.C.A. to assist it in the reconstruction of its premises. In a circular letter appealing for! funds to other local bodies, the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) said that the scheme was proving most popular with the troops and its value to the men and the community was unquestioned. “As these amenities are provided for soldiers from your district, as well as other parts of the South Island, I am writing to commend this scheme most heartily and to ask for your assistance.”