John Key wears famous Poirot bow tie

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John Key wears famous Poirot bow tie

Prime Minister John Key has worn a world famous bow tie, which was used in the filming of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series, to the opening ceremony of the Art Deco weekend in Napier.

The bow tie belonged to Poirot actor David Suchet and was gifted to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in New Zealand to help raise awareness of its annual Bow Tie Campaign, held this week from the 20-28 February 2010.

Leigh Gleeson, committee member of the Northern branch wrote to the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust of which David is Vice President and Restoration Trust member David Dixon replied saying he would personally deliver the bow tie on a trip to New Zealand last year.

Muscular Dystrophy Association Managing Director, Chris Higgins says, “We use the complexity of tying a bow tie to symbolise the many difficulties people with a neuromuscular conditions face each day. To have David Suchet donate the valuable tie and to have the Prime Minister wear it in support of the campaign helps raise the awareness of our campaign to new heights.”

The Poirot bow tie will be auctioned next month on ebay. It is currently being displayed in Art Deco store, Bedazzling in Napier and has already attracted a lot of international interest from Germany, England and America as well as locally.

For more information on how to bid for the bow tie contact the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand on 9 815 0247 Ext 706 or email bowtie@mda.org.nz.

To support the campaign, purchase a limited edition bow tie pin which has been designed by Fashion designers WORLD. Pins are available in all WORLD stores, as well as ASB branches nationwide for a $2.00 donation during bow tie week.

Muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions are unpredictable and can affect anybody, at any age. These disabling conditions are usually genetic and sometimes occur more than once in a family, often there is no family history. These conditions are incurable.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Muscular Dystrophy Association of NZ Inc. is a not for profit organisation with a national office and four branches (Northern, Wellington, Canterbury and Southern Regions) which provide a range of free services to support people affected by 40 or more neuromuscular conditions. Membership currently stands at 1,100. Based on international statistics it is estimated that there are likely to be well over 4,000 people in NZ who have a neuromuscular condition.

To support our work and reach new clients we are holding an annual “Bow Tie Campaign” from 20th February – 28th February 2010. Funds raised go to the four MDA branches to assist them provide services/support to members in their area. If you would like to be involved with the campaign, contact the National Bow Tie Coordinator Reena Mehta on 0800 800 337 or email bowtie@mda.org.nz or for more information on MDA visit www.mda.org.nz

To make an automatic $15 donation people can call 0900 4 BOW Tie (0900 426 98).

People often ask, “What is the relevance of the Bow Tie?”

If you’ve ever tried to tie one, you’ll soon realise it is a task that requires skill, dexterity and perseverance. What appears to be simple is in fact, quite difficult. The Muscular Dystrophy Association believes it is an activity that can readily demonstrate the difficulties and frustration that neuromuscular conditions can generate.

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