$31,000 Raised In Biscuit Appeal

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32383, 24 August 1970, Page 12

$31,000 Raised In Biscuit Appeal

The sum of $31,000 was raised in the Jaycees cent-a-meal campaign in Christchurch when it ended on Saturday, said the campaign publicity officer (Mr R. D. Simonson) yesterday.

He said that an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of the boxes were not collected and for a number of reasons. The weather interfered, many people were not at home on Saturdays, it was the start of the school holidays, and some people who were not interested in contributing. Mr Simonson said the Jaycees still hoped to reach their city target of $40,000. “The $31,000 will provide milk biscuits three times a day for a year for 600 children, so that’s not too bad," he said. Sixty members of the staff of the Bank of New Zealand gave up a day off to help sort and count the money which was done at its branches at Armagh Street, Sydenham, Papanui, and Riccarton. All the money was banked by 4 p.m. and Mr Simonson praised the efforts of the volunteers.

In the small yellow appeal boxes were a variety of contributions. There were many $5 notes, one was full of buttons and another contained a 20 cent toy money token. There were many

pennies and halfpennies and a smattering of Australian, American, Fijian and Dutch coins. One box contained a 1 cent piece with a nicely written letter explaining that “the balance would come from Sir Keith.” One pensioner sent a letter itemising her income and expenditure and suggested it might be more appropriate if contributions were made to her. Mr Simonson said there were a number of cheques for $5 84c—the amount needed to provide one child with three milk biscuits a day for a year. At Greymouth $2lOO was raised, at Rangiora $llOO, and at Ashburton $2OOO.