FRESH AIR FUND.
[TO THE EDITOR 07 THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Many people are now busily planning delightful holidays, eagerly debating where best they may find "a place in the sun." I would ask them in their happiness not to overlook the needs of the children who dwell in dark places. The need for help is greater this year than ever before in my experience. The Fresh Air Fund exists to carry out the kindly impulses of the charitably minded. It lifts the poor town children out of their sordid environment and gives them a day's holiday in the fresh air of the country—a day of purest happiness in green fields and forest glades or by the sea. Some among them are so sickly, so stunted in body and soul, that a day is all too short. As many as is possible of these are taken for a whole blissful fortnight to the seaside.
Last year 235,000 children from the slums of all our great cities enjoyed the day's holiday, while 4,580 benefited by a fortnight's change. It is hoped year by year to increase the number of the latter until it is possible to include all in the fortnightly scheme. I would that your readers could see for themselves the children at play ; nothing would sooner quicken their generous impulses. It is an unforgettable—a pitiful—sight.
The King has been a firm friend of the Fresh Air Fund for many years, and is a generous annual subscriber. In his Coronation year his Majesty graciously consented to crown the work of the Fresh Air Fund by becoming its Patron. The trivial sum of ninepence will give one child a happy day in the country, ten shillings will pay for a fortnight's holi- day, and eight pounds two shillings provides a day's holiday for a party of 200 with the necessary attendants.
All the money subscribed goes direct to the children for whom it is intended, the burden of working expenses being borne by the promoters. There is no distinction of class or creed; the children are chosen only according to their need. This summer the Fresh Air Fund enters on the twenty-first year of its work. The grand total of children who have been sent to the country for a day is 2,772,907, while in the past four years, since the inception of the fortnightly scheme, 16,395 have been sent to the country and the seaside for that period. I beg, therefore, that before setting out on their own holidays your readers will subscribe, and subscribe generously, to the Fresh Air Fund. Subscriptions should be made payable to the Fresh Air Fund and addressed to the Honorary Secretary at 23 St. Bride Street, London, E.0.—I am, Sir, dtc.,
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