$l00 from R.S.A. for paraplegic appeal

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33254, 18 June 1973, Page 12

$l00 from R.S.A. for paraplegic appeal

A gift of $lOO has been made by the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association to the national paraplegic trust appeal. It is the first sizeable gift made to the Christchurch section of the appeal.

A target of $500,000 has been set for the appeal for what will be known as the Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Foundation Trust. The trust will make loans to paraplegics to assist them in the critical early period of rehabilitation. The money will eventually be repaid to the trust.

Some of the money raised in the appeal will go towards the fourth Commonwealth Paraplegic Games to be held at Dunedin next year just before the Games in Christchurch.

Such Games are regarded as being important in the rehabilitation of paraplegics for medical and social reasons as well as for recreational value.

Although the word “paraplegics” is being used in publicity on the appeal, the scope of the fund will cover all the activities of the New Zealand Federation of Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Associations and will include quadraplegics or tetraplegics. The main drive for the appeal will be made on the evening of August 15 (a Wednesday), when a house-to-house collection will be made from every house in New Zealand. Able-bodied sporting

organisations have been asked to supply collectors. Community organisations and business firms will also be approached for financial assistance for the appeal—which will not be an annual one.

It was hoped that the actor Raymond Burr, known for his roles as Perry Mason and Ironside, would be able to visit New Zealand before the collection in August to give support to the cause of "fellow” wheelchair users. While Mr Burn will still come to New Zealand, his visit will not be until October.