25 NOVEMBER 1955, Page 17

SPASTICS

SIR,—Thoughts arc now turning to Christmas, that great Festival of Giving, and all over the land advance plans are being made for family reunions and rejoicings.

At this time, therefore, I am sure your readers will not mind sparing a thought for children—and adults too—who are unable to enter into the festivities and games which mean so much at this season. Conspicuous among these are the- spastics, those unfortunate, hitherto neglected victims of certakral palsy, an affliction whose cause, alas, is comparatively unknown.

These sufferers can be helped by special schools, training centres, and medical research, all of which are being vigorously organised by the Nafional Spastics Society.

One of the ways in which this work is financed is through contributions received for the little Christmas seals which we have sent by the million to schools, clubs, shops, offices and works, military stations and British pas- senger ships. Every time you use one of these on a letter, greeting card, or parcel, you are helping the society to raise its target of £250,000 for this year.

' We are glad to acknowledge the help derived in the past from your readers whose contribu- tions have made it possible for the society to establish through the past four years (a) twenty local treatment centres; (b) three special schools; (c) one residential home and sheltered Workshop; (d) a £45,000 mediCal research pro- gramme. Thus many children who, a few years ago, would have been condemned to the life of helpless'. invalids are being helped to take their places in life.

Much more remains to be done, but we know we can rely on people of good heart to associ- ate themselves, as we as patrons, and so many others do, with this most deserving cause.— Yours faithfully,

BERNARD CARDINAL GRIFFIN ISRAEL BRODIE

WILLIAM LONDIN Patrons

National Spastics Society, 28 Fitzroy Square, London, WI