AID FOR CRIPPLES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22474, 8 January 1943, Page 3

AID FOR CRIPPLES

Skipper Francis Trust Fund In 1911 stalwart, wide-shouldered Skipper Francis swam 11 miles in the River Usk in 3hrs 4mlns; the following year he crossed the Bristol Channel, a distance of 15 miles, in 4hrs 32mins. These times constituted world’s records, and they have never been beaten. To-day Francis would probably drown if he found himself in even a creek. He is a cripple, and world’s records are not for him. But he has found a greater ambition, and because of it many . hundreds of similarly crippled folk have had their lives brightened and their affliction made easier to bear. Timaru residents, during the course of the next few days, will have their opoprtunity of making his acquaintance, and of assisting in the selfless work in which he is engaged. Skipper Francis in the course of the past few months, has achieved his great ambition. In Dunedin a suitable property was recently purchased with the aid of a number of charitably minded supporters, and this is being fitted out as a rest home for cripples. There, people who would otherwise be unable to afford such <t luxury as a rest amidst a complete change of surroundings, will be taken free of charge and given a fortnights holiday. Skipper Francis informed a Herald representative that it would cost £l,OOO a year to run his Dunedin establishment.