XN000022-1980-01-23 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO SPEND A

MORNING WITH DISABLED CHILDREN

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PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SPEND A MORNING WITH PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WHEN SHE VISITS THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN POKFULAM ON FEBRUARY 11.

DURING THE VISIT, THE PRINCESS WILL TOUR THE CENTRE AND INSPECT VARIOUS FACILITIES THERE WHICH ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO INTEGRATE THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

SHE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY LADY MACLEHOSE WHO OPENED THE ULTRA MODERN CENTRE LAST APRIL IN HER CAPACITY AS PATRON OF THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION.

THE CENTRE, BUILT ON A 2 800 SQUARE METRES SITE IN POKFULAM RESERVOIR ROAD, IS OPERATED BY THE PHAB ASSOCIATION WITH SUBVENTIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.

IT IS OPEN TO BOTH DISABLED AND ABLE-BODIED GROUPS WITH THE AIM OF INTEGRATING THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED BY PROVIDING THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO MIX WITH ORDINARY PEOPLE.

IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH JOINT PARTICIPATION, THE DISABLED WILL THINK LESS ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, GAIN MORE CONFIDENCE AND ENJOY A FULLER LIFE WHILST AT THE SAME TIME ABLE-BODIED PERSONS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNISE THE ABILITY OF THE DISABLED.

FACILITIES AT THE CENTRE INCLUDE A PURPOSE-BUILT SWIMMING POOL FOR THE HANDICAPPED, AN ARCHERY RANGE, A BASKETBALL COURT, AND A HORSE RIDING AREA WITH A PUBLIC RIDING SCHOOL MANAGED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB.

THE CENTRE ALSO CONTAINS A HALL SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED TO PARTICIPATE WITH ABLE-BODIED PERSONS IN VARIOUS BALL GAMES, FOLK DANCE AND GYMNASTICS- A PLAY AREA- AN OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT- A DORMITORY FOR 100 PEOPLE AND A DINING HALL.

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