Campaign to 'rescue' child

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 1

Campaign to 'rescue' child

PA Wellington . A Napier-based group has launched a $40,000 fund-raising campaign to rescue the A.I.D.S. victim, Eve van Grafhorst, and her family from persecution by their neighbourhood in Australia.

The appeal organiser, a Napier journalist, Mr Robert Stockdill, said yesterday that more than $5OOO had been raised in .24 hours.

t The appeal, called “A .Life For Eve,” would seek {money to enable the family to resettle in New (Zealand and establish a , {fund for any expenses ■related to Eve’s treatment and education, once she , Arrived in New Zealand. ■I Mr Stockdill said the : {family would move to jHawke’s Bay where Mrs •Gloria van Grafhorst’s . ''family lives, and where •she and Eve have spent ' «the last fortnight awaiting ■A.I.D.S. test results from

i Mr Stockdill said he shad seen television news ’coverage of the “persecu’tion” the fajnily had suffered in Australia because {of “their community’s {misunderstanding and ‘fear of A.1.D.5.”

{ He met Mrs van Grafhorst and Eve about 10 'days ago and kept in {touch.

When he read that the family wanted to settle in New Zealand but could not do so for financial reasons, he decided to “test the water” over the issue and try to raise funds.

Mr Stockdili said he had received positive answers, and had decided to go ahead with the project. A job for Mr John van Grafhorst, a painter, was being sought.

Mr Stockdill said he wanted to help the van Grafhorst family because their plight was no fault of their own. “Eve contracted the A.I.D.S. virus through a blood transfusion from an A.I.D.S. carrier. “Since Eve’s condition was made public, Mr and Mrs van Grafhorst have lost their jobs, a home they were renting and have been subject to ridicule, abuse and prejudice.”

“Mrs van Grafhorst was confident the family would be treated like normal people in New Zealand and she was overwhelmed by the kind and caring attitude expressed towards her and Eve during their two week stay in Hastings this month,” he said. Eve and her mother returned to Australia on Saturday evening.