On behalf of the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust we welcome you all to the Charity Race Day.

The hospital was overwhelmed when approached by Smiths City to be the recipient of the funds raised at this first Charity Yacht Race.  Specials thanks must also go to the Naval Point Club and its members for supplying their own boats and crewing them for our benefit for this fun day.  We are very grateful for the support of the companies that put forward teams to participate in the race.   Thank you also to the companies that have donated product in all forms – for the Charity Auction; as part of the refreshments we will enjoy on the day; the prizes and the volunteers giving their time.

As background the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust is a registered Charitable Trust formed to provide free, elective day surgery and medical outpatient clinics for those who would otherwise not have access to them.   The Trust has been established by the community, for the community.  Already numerous leading doctors, nurses, technologists and business professionals have volunteered their time and expertise to the Charity Hospital.  Others in the community have put up their hands to help with the day-to-day running of the hospital in terms of cleaning, catering, secretarial support and so much more. 

The hospital is renovating an 80 year old villa in Harewood transforming this into a modern day operating theatre and consulting rooms – these alterations are progressing rapidly and we are hopeful these will be complete by May this year and functioning from the site by June 2007.

The funds raised by holding this Charity Race Day will enable the hospital to purchase an essential piece of equipment that is used to test patient’s eyes before cataract surgery.  Without this the hospital can not offer patients a surgical procedure.  Research has shown that if you delay eye surgery to the elderly reducing their vision, this increases their chances of falling thereby causing even further damage and problems for themselves.

Together, we can all make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of our community as a whole.   

Thank you all here today for the support you have shown this project – good luck.