Opera in the Park Charity Announcement
December 11 2009
BioPaints, the principal sponsors of Nelson’s Opera in the Park 2010,
are pleased to announce the charity to benefit from a charities collection at
Opera in the Park at Tahunanui on February 13, 2010 will be The Hearing Association
Nelson.
The Hearing Association Nelson provides support, independent advice and hearing
aid services to anyone affected by hearing loss in the Nelson and Tasman regions.
The Association has a small staff of 7 which includes four field workers. They
have hearing aid clinics in Nelson, Stoke and a new one in Motueka.
Hearing Association Nelson Manager Ana Parkes says they were over the moon to
find out they’d been selected as they’ve never been the recipient
of a big event charity collection before.
“To say we were thrilled is an understatement. We still can’t quite
believe what a generous opportunity we’ve been given to raise much needed
funds and increase awareness about hearing loss, particularly as the demand
for our services has really skyrocketed over the past few years. Our membership
is at over 660 at the moment and showing no signs of decreasing.”
The Hearing Association Nelson is a registered charity which doesn’t receive
any government funding. Last year their costs were $175,000 and they had a shortfall
of $4,000. Their income of $171,000, came from a combination of member subscriptions
of up to $25 person, various grants and donations, some income from sales of
hearing aid batteries and amplified telephones and some rental income from rooms
in the Hearing Association building.
“It’s pretty tight for us and we struggle to keep in the black.
We also don’t have extra funds for equipment such as a new hearing aid
cleaning machine, a laptop and a data projector for our education in the community
programmes. So we’re incredibly grateful for this chance and any money
raised through Opera in the Park will go towards these three key items for us,
“ says Ana Parkes.
BioPaints Business Manager Kathryn Barlow says selecting the charity was a tough
job as everyone was so worthwhile.
“We had over 30 applications in the end and each one of the organisations
is doing great things for our region, but we could only pick one. The Hearing
Association covers all sectors of our community as hearing loss is a problem
across all age groups, with 1 in ten New Zealanders affected by it and we hope
that their association with Opera in the Park will enable them to promote prevention
of hearing loss as well as their caring services.”
Ana Parkes says the Opera in the Park event will be a fantastic opportunity
to increase awareness about hearing loss.
“Hearing loss is not just about older people. A sad fact is that for some
people their hearing loss is a result of having listened to too much loud music
when they were younger and now, even with the excellent hearing aids available
today, their ability to hear music clearly is diminished.
“I’m one of those people who listened to loud music when I was young
and permanently damaged my hearing. No-one told me what could happen and I didn’t
realise that ringing in my ears after a concert was evidence of hearing damage.
If we can teach young people the art of safe listening we can hopefully make
a real difference.”
Donations will be able to be given in the charity tins at ticket pick up points
including the Nelson City Council, Hearing House and BioPaints prior to the
event. On the night, there will not be buckets passed around, instead there
will be large static bins provided by the entry/exits where concert-goers can
make their donations. Hearing Association Nelson volunteers will also be there
to welcome the audience at the entry gates.
BioPaints Kathyrn Barlow says because BioPaints is covering the cost of tickets
so that entry, with a ticket, is free, they’re hoping the donations to
the Hearing Association Nelson will be generous.
“This is a truly local charity. We hope there are lots of chances for
the Hearing Association Nelson to raise the profile of hearing loss and particularly
help young people learn to listen to music safely,” she says.
Nelson Opera in the Park tickets will be available from The Hearing Association
next week.
For More Information Please Contact:
Ana Parkes
Manager/Hearing Adviser
Hearing Assn Nelson Inc
354 Trafalgar Square
NELSON 7010
Ph/fx: 03 548 3270
After hours phone: 027 444 0612
BioPaints
Kathryn Barlow Ph: 03 539 0446 or 021 817607
The BioPaints Difference
BioPaints make premium quality finishes that are safer to use and healthier for you and your family. They are made from natural ingredients including china clay and plant oils. Using traditional methods alongside modern technology, BioPaints produce natural, people-safe paints that do what plastic paints don’t – they breathe. The range includes paints, oils, varnishes and waxes all designed to be as durable and hard wearing as possible. There are products for most interior situations in the home or office and because even natural products can cause allergies - BioPaints list the ingredients. We’ve been around for nearly 20 years. BioPaints offers customers a door-to-door delivery service – and have a retail store/showroom in Nelson.