RSA welfare trust continuing its support role

Waitaki District RSA Welfare Trust secretary Debbie Sinclair holds a basket of WW1 commemorative...
Waitaki District RSA Welfare Trust secretary Debbie Sinclair holds a basket of WW1 commemorative poppy pins. Photo by Rebecca Ryan.
The North Otago RSA went into liquidation last year, but the Waitaki District RSA Welfare Trust remains dedicated to providing services to veterans and their families.

A major fundraising campaign selling WW1 commemorative poppy pins in North Otago is quickly gathering momentum.

The Waitaki District RSA Welfare Trust is made up of trustees Bill Dean (honorary solicitor), Adair Craik (honorary accountant), John Longman (returned serviceman) and support team Stan Thorn (welfare officer) and Debbie Sinclair (secretary).

Mr Dean said the trust was established to provide assistance to returned servicemen, women and their families.

''We want to keep that welfare fund going. There are a lot of people who benefit from it,'' Mr Dean said.

''It's important to preserve that.''

Mrs Sinclair said there was already much interest in the continued support of veterans and families. She had sold about 200 pins in the first three weeks of the fundraising drive.

''I've sold them as far as England, a couple in Australia ... there seems to be quite a bit of interest.''

She expected the pins would be available to purchase all year, unless they ran out.

Mrs Sinclair said the continued support of veterans and their families should be a community project, not just limited to a small group.

The trust is making arrangements with the Waitaki District Council to find a permanent base.

''We'll continue to occupy the [RSA building] office, and what was the gaming room, until we're told otherwise,'' Mrs Sinclair said.

WW1 commemorative poppy pins are available at the Waitaki District Council, Redpaths Electrical Supplies and order forms can be found at the Oamaru Club.

For more information email: wdrsawelfare@gmail.com.

rebecca.ryan@odt.co.nz

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