CRIPPLE AS MASCOT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23019, 10 October 1944, Page 4

CRIPPLE AS MASCOT

Air Force Squadron

(NZR.A.) AUCKLAND. Oct 9 An offer by a squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force to adopt as its mascot a child patient in the Wilson Home was accepted by the Auckland Hospital Board, the selection of a suitable child being left to the matron of the institution. A member of the squadron, writing on behalf of all the members, advised that their decision had been unanimous. He referred to the adoption by another squadron of a young girl. Gloria Lyons, a victim of tuberculosis of the spine and a patient in the Christchurch Public Hospital, as its mascot, and the subsequent considerable improvement in her health and mental outlook. “It is the wish of this squadron ’ j follow their example and to interest ourselves in the welfare of a parallel case.” added the letter. “As pur job of work in the war is necessarily of a destructive character, it is the wish of the members of the squadton to offset this to some extent at least by undertaking a project actively constructive. and it is our hope that the benefits accrued should be of a permanent nature, as. indeed, they will be if our efforts can assist a child back to health and happiness.”