Business generosity unaffected by quake

Business generosity unaffected by quake

If bookings for a charity lunch next week are a reliable indicator, Canterbury business is holding firm against the effects of the 4 September earthquake.

Judith Miller, fund-raising co-ordinator for the Family Help Trust, which is organising the Duncan Cotterill Business Lunch next Friday, said bookings for the annual event, with guest speaker Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, are on par with last year

“We did consider postponing the lunch because so many businesses have been affected by the quake, but it seems any disruption has not been serious enough to put people off attending, which is a good sign. We understand some have registered to acknowledge clients or treat staff after the tough time they have had over the past month. Others may be coming as a way of returning to ‘normal’ Either way, their support for the event and the Trust is greatly appreciated,” she said.

In ‘Food for Thought with Bill English’ the Minister of Finance and Minister for Infrastructure will give those at the lunch an insider briefing on what lies ahead for the New Zealand economy in 2011. Although tickets for the event are selling well, Judith Miller said some tables are still available for those who have not yet booked.

She said the Family Help Trust had noticed no dwindling in its supporters’ generosity over the past month.
“As a charity, there is always a risk that a campaign as important as the earthquake appeal might draw money out of our normal funding streams, but the need for our service has not diminished because of the quake: children at risk of family violence still need the support the Family Help Trust provides. Thankfully it seems that is widely recognised by our supporters, and donations to the Trust have continued at a similar level to what we were receiving prior to the quake.

“It is heartening to see that the willingness of people to help those in most need appears not to have fallen when they themselves are struggling,” she said.

The Family Help Trust provides intensive early intervention programmes to address the causes of child abuse among Canterbury’s most socially deprived families.

The Duncan Cotterill Business Lunch is on Friday 15 October from12.00pm - 2.30pm, in the Limes Room, Christchurch Town Hall.

ENDS

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