Record Appeal Expected

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31083, 11 June 1966, Page 1

Record Appeal Expected

When about £5OOO was counted and more money still to come from the suburbs, the president of the North Canterbury centre of the Red Cross Society (Mrs R. I. Brake) was confident last evening that the final amount from yesterday’s appeal would be a record.

Last year £5899 was collected. Mrs Brake said she was very thrilled with the response. “For a considerable time now the appeal has resulted in a record amount each year. This fact shows the public’s confidence in the Red Cross Society and we appreciate this support very much.”

More than 500 volunteers, many of whom were on duty soon after 7 a.m., collected £2500 in the city streets.

A large quantity of goods and produce was sold by the two stalls organised by members, one in Cathedral square and the other in the Horticultural Hall. The proceeds, about £l5OO, were at least £lOO higher than last year. The white elephant stall realised more than £3OO. About £lOOO was obtained from raffles and in the form of donations from firms and the society’s sub-centres. One of the organisers at the Horticultural Hall (Mrs T. C. Mating) said people of all ages had helped through the day. A tremendous amount of produce had been sold, and it was the best quality she had seen. “The busiest time was between nine and 10 in the morning,” she said. “The hall was absolutely jammed full with shoppers. It was a much bigger crowd than usual, and we sold all that we put out on the stalls.” Work began about 6 a.m.

for many of the women who cut up carcases of meat which had been sent from outlying districts. Work on the stalls began soon after 8.30 when the first buyers began to arrive. The covered stall in the Square was also very popular. Goods ranged from cakes, eggs and meat to knitted garments and flowers. Six women manned the stall throughout the day, and estimated takings were in excess of £2OO.

One of the street collectors, Mr R. Robbie, began collecting at 7 a.m. and stayed on duty until 9 p.m. He collected a large number of contributions by continuously playing an unusual combination of instruments. Mr Robbie played hymns and old-time favourites on a mouth organ and accompanied himself on a univox organ. Last year he collected £5O, and he anticipated that he would take at least twice that amount this year.