Christchurch schools benefit from New Zealand Test ducks

Bond signs autographs for children at Allenvale School

Disadvantaged children in Christchurch have benefited from a donation of $17,750 by the Queen Street Cricket Club.

The club funds its operation by asking each of its 250 members to donate $5 every time a member of the New Zealand Test team makes a duck in a match. QSCC chairman Roger Brittenden said: "Some jokingly describe it as a guaranteed form of cash flow. But we like to think we are the team's biggest supporters and if a player should unfortunately fail, well, somewhere a needy child is going to benefit."

The donations made this year were: $12,250 to Allenvale School for children with special needs and $5500 to the Mary Moodie Respite Care Centre. The donations were made by New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond on behalf of the QSCC.

Allenvale School offers a wide range of programs for children with autism, Prada Willi syndrome, Down's syndrome, Fragile X and attention deficit disorders.

"Allenvale School is enrolling an increasing number of students with severe multiple disabilities and have had to establish another class. The Queen Street Cricket Club will be providing essential equipment for this class, including a hoist for lifting children for showering, toileting and other needs, a shower changing bed and two side liers."

Bond said it was crucial organisations like the QSCC continued to make these types of contributions.

"The children and the staff who work with them on a day-to-day basis deserve to work in, and have access to, the best conditions and equipment possible. It's about identifying ways to help, like the QSCC has done, and then providing practical assistance."

Bond also said he has only scored one Test duck so far in his career but "promised to do better". It was his maiden Test innings, in the third Test against Australia in Perth in 2001-02.

This is not the first time the QSCC has aided Allenvale School. Several years ago three specially-built tricycles were stolen. The club came to their aid and provided the money to replace the popular cycles the next day after the story was aired on national television news.

The Mary Moodie Respite Care Centre in Christchurch provides care for the most handicapped and difficult children on the weekends, allowing parents of these children an essential rest. The items financed include a small trampoline, two small bikes, puzzles, drawing sets, recorder, mini sound system, DVD player, outside furniture, a barbecue, VCR and a PC along with educational computer games.

The club, which was officially formed in December 1989, has raised over $125,000 for disadvantaged children's groups such as Heart Children of New Zealand, Kidz First Hospital, Project K, The Royal Foundation for the Blind and children with immune deficiency syndromes.