Trust fund boosts MRI scanner appeal

NATASHA MARTIN/Fairfax NZ

MONEY MATTERS: MRI scanner appeal chairman Ron Luxton, left, and project manager Stacey Scott, right, meet Dick Dodds, a trustee of the South Canterbury Industries Fair Inc, to discuss the latest donation to the scanner appeal.

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Timaru's MRI scanner appeal is continuing to race towards its $2.7million target, with one of the latest donations exceeding $70,000.

Trustees from the dormant South Canterbury Industries Fair have donated $70,395.38 to the cause.

South Canterbury Industries Fair, which was a popular display of entertainment and stalls promoting local businesses, was established in 1976. Former South Canterbury man Peter Lewis came up with the idea of the fair, which was held every second year in the Wrightson woolstore, where H&J Bruce transport is now located.

The fair, which was held in June when the woolstore was clear, raised thousands of dollars over the years, some of which was spent on operating costs. Money raised also went towards community projects including the Caroline Bay soundshell cover. It also provided scholarships for Aoraki Polytech trades students in the 1990s.

However, the trust sat dormant from the late 1990s and was eventually wrapped up, leaving more than $70,000 of funds, which the trustees have decided to donate to the MRI appeal.

Trustee Dick Dodds said his medical history during the past 15 years had made him "passionate" about the appeal.

"I had a lymphoma in my neck removed and that was picked up through an MRI scanner, and in 2009 I was picked up with a prostate problem and had to have another scan."

He said the aim of the donation was to also give the money raised by the community, back to the community.

"It's a win-win all around.

"It's going to a good cause so that's the main thing."

Mr Dodds said he hoped other trusts around New Zealand would also donate to the cause.

"I feel there are far too many trusts around New Zealand that were set up many years ago, but many of them (are no longer used) for what they were set up for."

Appeal chairman Ron Luxton said the donation would go a long way towards reaching the target.

"We are very grateful to the Industries Fair Inc and all the community groups that are supporting (the appeal). We are on the homeward run and looking forward to that final push in the middle of this year."

The appeal, a joint initiative by the South Canterbury District Health Board and the Aoraki Foundation, is nearing the $2.1m mark.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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