Hospital Calls On Canterbury To "Give Us A Hand"

7 February 2006

Charity Hospital Calls On Canterbury To "Give Us A Hand"

The Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust is launching its first "Give Us A Hand Appeal", aiming to raise a dollar for every man, woman and child living in Canterbury.

The Charity Hospital serves an area stretching from Kekerengu, north of Kaikoura, to the Rangitata in the south, and from the Southern Alps east to Banks Peninsula.

The appeal will run from 26 February to 5 March 2006, aiming to raise $481,431.00.

"This money will buy vital equipment to get the Charity Hospital up and running," says spokesman Philip Bagshaw.

"The money will fund the purchase of an anaesthetic machine, operating table and ophthalmology microscope. It will also help towards the running costs of the hospital," he added.

A number of activities are planned for the "Give Us A Hand Appeal" week, which will begin with Sunday in the Park ­ a celebration of food, wine and music, on 26 February 2006.

On Friday 3 March, the hospital is calling on schools in the Canterbury region to hold a red and black mufti day to raise funds for the hospital. Players from tThe Canterbury Crusaders are showing their support by offering to visit the school that comes up with the most innovative fundraising idea. Also on the Friday, will be a street appeal in central Christchurch and in and around suburban malls.

Another supporter of the Charity Hospital, Bank of New Zealand, will be collecting donations in all its branches (16 in total) in the Canterbury region, including in Kaikoura, Hanmer and Ashburton.

The final events for the week are a Golf Tournament ­ to be held at The Christchurch Golf Club at Shirley, and a Celebrity 20:20 Cricket Match, being hosted by St Andrews College. Entries to the Golf Tournament are welcomed, and the cricket is sure to be a fun day for the whole family, with bouncy castle and rides for the kids and music and an auction between innings.

Schools, businesses and community groups are being invited to run their own event as well to raise money for the Charity Hospital, and to help out by making donations or attending these exciting events. .

Further details and contacts for the Give Us A Hand Appeal can all be found at the Charity Hospital's new website: www.charityhospital.org.nz.

"This is a great cause ­ our ultimate aim is to provide 700 free operations and 700 free medical consultations to those people with genuine medical problems who don't qualify for publicly funded treatment and can't afford private treatment," says Phil Bagshaw.

"The Canterbury Charity Hospital could make a real difference in the lives of thousands of people. I have no doubt we can reach our goal but we do need everyone in Canterbury to get on board and give us a hand," he concluded.

Donations to the Charity Hospital can be posted to Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust PO Box 20409 Christchurch New Zealand

ENDS

© Scoop Media