New charitable trust founded

Press, 13 March 1987, Page 9

New charitable trust founded

Mr Cyril Smith, a wellknown Christchurch businessman and property developer, has generously donated the sum of $5OOO to launch a new charitable trust known as the Canterbury Westland Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Mr Smith is a patron of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canterbury, and has been a generous supporter of the society for some years. When the proposal to establish the foundation was first mooted, Mr Smith readily agreed to become the founding donor.

The objective of the foundation is to raise money to financially support and assist the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canterbury in its work on behalf of those affected either by multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. The foundation offers an exciting range of possiblities to people who are keen to see their money wisely invested and used to support a worthwhile cause.

The foundation’s funds will be managed through the Christchurch branch of Trustees Executors and Agency Company of New Zealand.

There are options for straightforward donations, loans, various insurance schemes, bequests and legacies.

Those people who want to see their tax dollar used in their own community have an opportunity by using one or other of these options to ensure that this is the case as the foundation is recognised by the Inland Revenue Department as a charity. Having great wealth is not a prerequisite for involvement in the work of the foundation. Indeed, people with quite modest incomes and assets can, using the expertise and advice available, benefit both themselves and the foundation.

Mr Barry Hawkins, the director of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canterbury, says: “The foundation will give to the society the element which it has always lacked; that is, a secure financial base from which it can make and execute the long term plans which will directly benefit the many people affected by multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease (another group of people to which the Society offers support) in Canterbury and Westland.

“The foundation provides a way of helping without hurting and will almost certainly be the most significant source of financial support for the Society in the future.” Multiple sclerosis affects mainly the young adult population, and Parkinson’s disease those people in the 50 and over age bracket. The society, therefore, is working with a wide range of people from those in their early twenties to those in their eighties, both men and women.

The needs of these people, the stresses generated by the presence of a long-term and chronic and disabling condition are enormous and require a high level of service coupled with expertise. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canterbury has, over the years, established a relatively high profile and degree of credibility in the community but it needs, in common with other voluntary organisations, a secure financial future. The foundation is seen as providing the means to meet that need.

If you would like to

support the work of the multiple sclerosis society and provide “the gift that

lives on,” please complete the coupon and return it as soon as possible.