23 August 2005

Canterbury's "at-risk" Children to Benefit Again

Christchurch based social support agency, the Family Help Trust, is grateful for the support of Rotary Club at this years Children's Charity Ball.

Family Help Trust chair, Sally Thompson, says the at-risk children with whom the Trust works, will be the real winners as a result.

"Our effective early intervention programmes are making a real difference to these children and their families," she says.

Fundraising and donations from generous individuals and organisations keep the Trust going as they successfully break the cycle of dysfunction in Canterbury families.

"There's an outcry when yet another child is killed at the hands of violence and abuse. That anger seems to quickly dissipate until the next one. The Trust is making a difference to the lives of children who are victims of circumstance and who often become a part of generational dysfunction as the violence, drug taking, criminal behaviour is passed down to their children and so on. We are breaking that cycle, acting as a barrier at the top of the cliff, not an ambulance at the bottom," she says.

Family Help Trust is one of the four recipients of funds raised at this annual event, The Children's Charity Ball takes place at the Christchurch Convention Centre this Saturday night. Master of Ceremonies is Frankie Stevens and band, Mista Meana will entertain guests.

ENDS

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