FRESH AIR FUND.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2642, 10 May 1923, Page 8

FRESH AIR FUND.

(To the Editor). Slr ( —May I once, again trespass upon your courtesy to bring before your readers the needs of the Fresh Air Fund which was foti:idel by the late Sir Arthur Peavso.i thirty, two years ago for the purpose of providing- day' outings and fortnightly holidays for children who otherwise wouid not get a brief respite from their unhappy surroundings? In the past two years the Fresh An Fund has unfortunately had to si end £5;000 more than its Inootnu, whiwh means that most of the availaV-le ;reserves have been used. This expenditure was incurred rather than disapopint the many thousands of poor children who had been promised a much-needed short holiday and who were so eagerly looking forward to it.j To the children with whom the, Fresh Air Fund deals even one day in. the country is a wonderful event — a fortnight's holiday a miraculous happening. Fifteen-pence pays for a day in the country. One. pound pays for two weeks' holiday. Thirteen pounds pays for a day for 200 children with attendants. May I particularly impress upon your readers that the Fresh Air Fund is a unique charity, for the whole of the amount subscribed is spent upon the. children. During the past thirty-one years, 4,525,341 poor children have been.the guests of the 'Fresh Air Fund for a day, and from 1908 when the fortnightly holidays commenced —70,924 poor children have been given a much-needed change of that dura-, t.ion. It is easy to record in mere hard statistics the work accomplished, but. who can place on record or value the result achieved in terms'of life, health and happiness? Donations, however small, will be thankfully received, and should be addressed to me as hon. secretary, Pearson's Fresh Air Fund, 17a Henrietta Street, London, W.C. 2, England. —I am, etc. E. KESSELL, Hon. Secretary.