Our Heroes Trust appoints medical director
Our Heroes Trust, which is raising $400,000 to send 75 veterans of the Battle of Montecassino to the battle's 60th
Anniversary Commemorations in Italy, has appointed the tour's medical director.
She is Dr Victoria Flight, a member of a Christchurch inner city medical practice.
The medical team accompanying the 75 veterans when they leave in May will at this stage comprise two doctors and two
nurses. The Trust is organising the tour for those veterans who missed out on the Government ballot to attend the
Montecassino commemorations, and asked the RSA to conduct a second ballot.
Dr Flight will head the medical team and is also responsible for recommending to the Trust whether a veteran can safely
travel. The medical team positions are voluntary, with the travel costs being met by the Trust.
New Zealanders have so far given the Trust $120,000 of the $400,000 needed for the tour. Each veteran's trip costs
$6000, of which the Government pays $2000, leaving $4000 to be raised per veteran.
Donations can be made through any branch of the Bank of New Zealand, or a $20 instant donation can be made through 0900
437 637.
Many of the veterans are being accompanied by spouses, relatives or friends, but they are not included in the Trust's
fundraising.
The Trust has also announced the air travel itinerary for the tour.
The veterans leave Auckland on May 13, travelling to Rome through Kuala Lumpur.
The trustees are Greg Evans and Barry Smith of Christchurch. Greg Evans is organising the fundraising and is founder of
the food compliance software firm Encos.
The Trust Protector is Christchurch solicitor Peter van Rij, a senior partner in the law firm Parry Field.
Two well-known travel agents, Ruth Sullivan of Synergi Travel and Robyn Galloway Innovative Travel who specialise in the
area, are organising the tour, and are also handling the bookings for those who are accompanying the veterans.
The Our Heroes Trust website is http://www.ourheroes.co.nz.