Appeal support

Press, 15 March 1982, Page 16

Appeal support

Prominent New Zealanders have joined with the Intellectually Handicapped Children Society in giving their support,to the house-to-house appeal for the Foundation for the Newborn this evening.

The foundation supports several research projects throughout New Zealand which aim to find out why one in 10 babies are born less than perfect. The research projects include breathing difficulties, congenital malformations, what triggers off labour, and what causes prematurity.

Among those New Zealanders who have given the appeal their support are the Prime Minister (Mr Mul-

doon), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling), the leader of the Social Credit League (Mr Beetham), cricketer Richard Hadlee, All Black Bryan Williams, golfer Liz Douglas and Race Relations Conciliator, Hiwi Tauroa.

The national director of the I.H.C. in support of the appeal, said that although his organisation was known for helping people already handicapped, it was. strongly supportive of any work being done for handicap prevention. “We support the work of the Foundation for the Newborn to raise money for research into birth defects,” he said. “A major, need is some research which will show how to effectively educate the public to ensure that all possible steps are taken to avoid damage to the foetus and young child. When something goes wrong’ with a pregnancy or • a birth, the results can be heartbreaking”