Archbishop to help A.I.D.S. victims

Press, 23 March 1985, Page 14

Archbishop to help A.I.D.S. victims

PA Auckland New Zealand’s top Anglican, a lesbian, and a haemophiliac are among those chosen for a new group aiming to stop the spread of A.I.D.S. The charitable trust, initiated by the Auckland Aids Support Network, wants to promote public education about acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The Archbishop of New Zealand, the Rt Rev. Paul Reeves; a clinical psychologist and a self-professed lesbian, Miriam Saphira; and a company director, Mr John Goodwin, a haemophiliac, have agreed to be among 13 trustees and advisors.

The A.LD.S. Support Network Trust board is applying for official status as a charitable institution and seeks grants to launch its campaign.

The board needed $1 million in its first year for publicity, said a trustee and A.LD.S. Support Network co-ordinator, Mr Bruce Burpett.

Other board trustees are a social worker, Colleen Leslie; the Health Depart-

ment’s health promotion director, Mr John Holden; the Mental Health Foundation director, Dr Max Abbott; a barrister and solicitor, Mr Alan Ivory; a guidance counsellor, Jill Amos; and a political scientist, Mr William Logan. Archbishop Reeves, an advisory trustee, said his role was a compassionate response to A.LD.S. victims

in a life-threatening situation. He would advise them where to get spiritual help if requested. His action was not a committal to any side of the A.LD.S. issue, he said. Other advisers to the board are a doctor, Dr John Miller, the Wellington Alcohol and Drug Dependency centre co-ordinator, Mr Neil Thornton; and a Christchurch teacher, Mr Owen Knowles.