POLICE-NEWSPAPERS CHARITY VENTURE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30863, 23 September 1965, Page 18

POLICE-NEWSPAPERS CHARITY VENTURE

Proceeds from the annual variety afternoon arranged by the Christchurch Police— Combined Newspapers Charity Committee will this year go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canterbury. The fixture will be held at the Addington Show Grounds on Sunday week. Variety afternoons have raised more than 15000 for deserving causes since 1955. A Rugby League match between two women’s teams, items by a Maori club, and an Army display in which a utility vehicle will be dismantled in a few minutes and another driven by remote radio control, are included in the entertainment arranged. Multiple sclerosis is an incurable disease which strikes at the brain and spinal cord nerves, crippling the victim. There are between 2500 and 3000 sufferers in New Zealand, about 150 of them living in Canterbury. The disease strikes mostly adults, women more than men, aged between 20 and 40.

Christchurch was the first centre in New Zealand to have a multiple sclerosis society. This was begun three 'years ago. Other centres

have followed suit and this year plans have been discussed for a New Zealand federation of the societies. A £12,000 welfare centre for multiple sclerosis sufferers in Canterbury is nearing completion at 22 St. Asaph street. The centre is to be officially opened by the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) towards the end of this year. The society has still to find about £2OOO to pay for the building, and needs about £lOOO worth of additional furniture and equipment for the centre.