Annual Carnation Day Street Appeal

PRESS RELEASE (for immediate release):

CARNATION DAY STREET APPEAL - FRIDAY 5 and SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Many of us are affected by Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease, with one person in 1,000 living with MS and one in 500 living with Parkinson’s.

The annual Carnation Day Street Appeal, held on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September, is the MS and Parkinson’s Society’s biggest fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds remaining in Canterbury.

Please donate generously when you see the Carnation Day volunteers on the 5th and 6th at one of our 70 collection sites across Canterbury. The Society also encourages people to make a donation online at http://www.givealittle.co.nz/org/MSPD.

BACKGROUND

The Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Society of Canterbury (Inc) has been providing support, information and education to people with MS and Parkinson’s since 1962.

During the last 50 years, staff and volunteers have supported thousands of Cantabrians.

Our purpose has always been to support our members by offering an accessible, open and welcoming service.

The Society’s mission is:

To offer professional support, information and education for people with, and those providing care for people with, Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s.

In 2013 the Society:

• Launched the ‘Minimise Fatigue, Maximise Life’ programme, which was specifically developed for Members and ultimately the community at large by Physiotherapist Jessie Snowdon and Dr Hilda Mulligan from the University of Otago.

• Provided over 1,500 visits to members with MS, their family and caregivers plus a similar number to members with Parkinson’s through our Home Visiting Programme.

• Made over 1,800 phone calls to members with MS, their family and caregivers, plus a similar number to members with Parkinson’s and a further 1,800 to health professionals on behalf of our members.

• Held more than 550 Exercise Classes, including Nordic Walking, Yoga and Open Gym.

• Hosted over 300 members at 24 Morning Teas.

• Arranged 30 special groups such as MS Lunch, Men’s Happy Hour, Spouses’ Group, School Holiday Programmes and UPBEAT, throughout Canterbury.

Produced and distributed four editions of the MS+PD Newsletter to over 750 households.

• Attracted the enthusiastic participation of over 400 volunteers through Society activities and fundraising opportunities.

TIMELINE

1962 A public meeting was held on the 22nd of March to form a Society and was presided over by the Mayor Mr George Manning. The meeting was attended by over 200 people. Seven months later, Multiple Sclerosis Society Canterbury was incorporated on the 5th of November. Forty-five people attended the meeting and a committee was formed.

1963 Students of the University of Canterbury presented the Society with a sizeable donation of £5,209 used to purchase an old house and section at 22 St Asaph Street.

1965 The site at 22 St Asaph Street was officially opened; this was the first stage in developing a welfare centre.

1975 The Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand passed a motion that regional MS Societies accept people with Parkinson’s as members. At that time the Canterbury Society had four members with Parkinson’s.

1980 Significant changes were made to the Society’s operations including a drive to contact people with Parkinson’s. Over 100 new members joined and qualified staff were appointed.

1990 The Canterbury Society became an informal division of Parkinson’s New Zealand.

1999 Name changed to The Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Society of Canterbury (Inc).

2014 The Society supports over 800 members and their families from Kaikoura to Ashburton.

ENDS

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