XN000022-1982-04-30 — Page 9

FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982

8.

CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED

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ABOUT 2 500 ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN SHA TIN WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) TREATED TO A DINNER PARTY ORGANISED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THE PARTY, CO-ORDINATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S SHA TIN COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER, IS TO SHOW CONCERN FOR UNDER-PRIVILEGED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

SPEAKING AT THE DINNER HELD IN THE ALICE PALACE RESTAURANT IN SHA TIN, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, URGED THE DISTRICT BOARD TO PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE YEAR-ROUND NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, WHOM HE SAID HAD CONTRIBUTED VERY MUCH TO SOCIETY.

NOTING MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE PARTY THIS YEAR, MR AKERS-JONES SAIDI +THIS SERVES AS A REMINDER TO US ALL THAT NOT ONLY IS THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE GROWING AS THE TOWN INCREASES IN SIZE, BUT ALSO THAT PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER THAN EVER BEFORE AND THAT THERE ARE NOW MORE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN OUR POPULATION.+

+THIS WE MUST PLAN FOR, HE EMPHASISED.

EARLIER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING GROUP, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, TOLD THE ELDERLY AT THE GATHERING TO DEVELOP THEIR INDEPENDENCE, SHOW CONCERN TO THEIR YOUNGER GENERATIONS AND OFFER THEM ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A HARMONIOUS AND HAPPY FAMILY LIFE.

TO THE DISABLED, HE ADVISED THEM TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE IR POTENTIALS TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.

ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE.

OTHER PROGRAMMES FOR THE GUESTS INCLUDED CHINESE OPERATIC SINGING, AN EXHIBITION, A SEMINAR, AND A FILM AND SLIDE SHOW ON ELDERLY SERVICES AT THE WO CHE AND SHA KOK COMMUNITY HALLS.

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