News

Press Release

For immediate general release
26/08/2021 3:18 p.m.

COVID restrictions push critical fundraising appeal online

With over 80% of their funds sourced from public and member donations, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Canterbury rely on an annual street appeal every year for much needed financial support.

The 2021 street appeal was scheduled for Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September this year (next week).  But now, like so many other things, COVID-19 has taken the street appeal away.

As their major fundraising event of the year, MS and Parkinson’s Canterbury are hoping to raise over $100,000 in order to continue the critical support which members and their families/whanau, carers and friends rely on.

While the street appeal is no longer here, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease definitely ARE.

They are a reality for thousands of Cantabrians who face the challenges of dealing with these debilitating diseases every day.

For that reason, MS and Parkinson’s Canterbury has been forced to change their approach immediately to an online fundraising campaign which they hope generous Cantabrians will support!

A dedicated online donation portal is now open at:

https://mspd.infoodle.com/f/DonationFormFactsOfMSAndParkinsons

MS and Parkinson’s Canterbury will be supporting their appeal for funds with an extensive media and social media awareness campaign, highlighting some of the facts around multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease and the work the organisation carries out each year:

 Multiple Sclerosis

  • It is estimated that around 4,000 New Zealander’s suffer from MS.
  • Women are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men.
  • The average age of MS diagnosis is mid 30’s

Parkinson’s Disease

  • It is estimated that around 10,000 New Zealander’s suffer from Parkinson’s disease. That number is expected to double by 2035.
  • Parkinson’s disease becomes more common with age, and it is believed 1% of people above the age of 60 have it.
  • The average age at diagnosis is 59.
  • Men are 1.5 times more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than women.

Funding

  • 80% of the money the organisation needs to provide services, comes from fundraising activity and member support.

End

Executive Manager, Karla Gunby is available for comment and interviews.  Please email manager@ms-pd.org.nz or call Karla on 0226389501

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