ALTON CRIPPLES' HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 308, 7 June 1915, Page 8

ALTON CRIPPLES' HOME.

To the Editor. Sir, —Allow me, through your columns, to make an appeaj on behalf of 'the above institution. Perhaps it would he as well it 1 were to quote some extracts from a letter' which I recently received from Sir William P. Treloar, the. founder of the home. He says: "The war has very seriously affected the, funds of the hospital, and the present situation is one of grave anxiety. While our income has fallen off the applications for admission to the hospital are steadily increasing, and among the crippled children who came to us for help and cure are many whose fathers are fighting for our country on land and sea. Think what it will mean to these little sufferers if I have to say that they cannot be given the chancei of growing well and strong again, because our funds are not sufficient to carry on the hospital. . . . J am sure that if you plead for the crippled children you will meet with, a ready response. I want the help of everyone. . . The cripples are eagerly waiting for the door of the hospital to open and admit them. Please .join in supplying me with the golden key to unlock this closed door. Any help, however small, will be heartily -welcomed. <, , " Tho home, which is at iAlton, Hampshire, was founded in September, 1908, and its objects are —(a) The treatment of children of both sexes up to the age of 12 who are suffering from tubercular disease of the bones or joints; (b) tho training of crippled lads from 14 to 18 years of age in skilled handicrafts to enable them to earn their own livelihood. The hospital, which is the largest one of its kind in the United Kingdom, luis treated over 1000 cases since its inception, and there have been 90 per cent, of cures. Children suffering from tubercular disease arc practically debarred from admission to general hospitals owing to the long duration of tho treatment. The average length of stay at Alton is over one year. Some <lO Ihjvs are being taught leather work, tailoring or bootmaking to enable them to earn- their own living. The hospital and college are practically dependent on voluntary contributions, only a very small income lieing derived from investments. The cost of maintaining the hospital and providing for the feeding, clothing and treatment of the children is very heavy, and now that the war is on the home js urgently in need of help. May I ask, Sir, if you will be so kind as to receive donations of money at your office during the next fortnight? Thanking you in anticipation.--! am, etc.,

LEO. C. RICHARDS, Collector for the Queen Alexandra League. . Avenue Road, June 4. 1915. [We will be pleased to receive and acknowledge any subscriptions to this deserving fund.—Ed.]