Street Appeal Today By Aged People’s Council

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 5

Street Appeal Today By Aged People’s Council

Donaiti'cms for the Christchurch Aged People’s Welfare Council, which is holding its annual street appeal today, will be collected by about 500 votunteers in the city area from 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, collectors will be alt more than 50 street corners in the suburbs.

“This is the only public appeal for money which we make during the year,” said the council’s secretary (Mrs M. E. Lawrie) yesterday. “We do rely very heavily on the people of Christchurch, and they are really generous.” Last year £2lOO was collected, and it was hoped that even more would be given today. Since its formation in 1952, the council has steadily increased its services to meet the needs of elderly people throughout the city. K looks after 53 elderly people at Langford House,

and shares the responsibility for running Windsor House, which has 68 residents, with the Christchurch Rotary Ctab. Every week, 275 people meet at the council’s occupational centre to Orbeill street, or are visited to their homes. Voluntary drivers take them to and from the centre, where handwork classes are held. Handwork classes are also organised to church homes for the aged, which council representatives visit each week. There is, too, a gardening service for those living on their own, and outings for elderly people are arranged by the council’s social committee.

The council received many requests for accommodation, Mrs Lawrie said. “The council will answer every request for help, and we have a social worker who will visit those in need to their own homes. Most of the people we deal with are over 80, though anyone over 60 is eligible for help.”