APPEAL FOR THE AGED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21647, 4 December 1935, Page 17

APPEAL FOR THE AGED

TO TiBB EDITOB O* THE PBESB. Sir,—There are so many different appeals made to our generous Christchurch people at all times, irrespective Of Christmas, that I feel a certain amount of diffidence in giving words to another. There is one class that seems to be consistently , neglected—l speak of the aged. There are many old age pensioners who are not living with friends or relatives but keep a little home going, paying rent and managing as best they-can on the very few shillings remaining. It means semi-starva-tion at the best, as many have no outside assistance whatsoever. Think, of it! A widow or widower living .quite "alone, all their loved ones dead or. far away, sad and neglected, unable to obtain for themselves necessary comforts, yet seeing all around, them enjoying the festive "fare of the happy season! Perhaps they are too proud to beg—the most decent women and men usually are—and too proud to be the recipients of ostentatious public charity. Shouid any of your generims readers know of such, perhaps they might be induced to send to them a postal note, even if only for a shilling or two, to give some little comfort to the deserving aged who, nearing the end of their lives, have to endure such deprivations as would be a real hardship to those much younger, stronger, and better able to bear them. A gift given in the way I suggest cannot hurt the sensitive feelings of respectable old age, and very blest indeed would be that giver who gives with such kincjly and generous discretion—Yours, etc., INASMUCH; December 3, 1935. ' i ■ .i ■