Charity 'in crisis' holds vital fundraising events (From Harrow Times)
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The Disability Foundation in Stanmore holds vital fundraising events
3:30pm Monday 1st October 2012 in News By Katie Dolamore
A Stanmore charity “in crisis” is holding a series of events to raise much needed cash.
The Disability Foundation (TDF), based in Brockley Hill, provides affordable, mainstream complementary therapies to people with disabilities, or recovering from illness.
The charity, which does not receive any NHS funding, is facing severe financial difficulties in our austere economic climate.
TDF is urgently appealing to the public to donate, as funds are threatening to run out in five months' time.
Their tailored treatments range from massage therapies and acupuncture to osteopathy, and can be the only means to relieve patients from muscle stress and pain without extensive use of painkillers.
TDF's chief executive Julia Henry Lee said: "People often question the efficacy of complementary therapies and throw it aside in favour of conventional medicine.
"Human touch is a significant form of medicine. Able-bodied athletes may have a massage to relax and wind down but for someone who has a disability, massage can be the only way to calm down tight muscles, temporarily stop constant twitches and spasms."
One notable patient is 2012 Paralympian James O’Shea, who powered in at fourth place in the Men’s 100 metres Breaststroke this year.
Mr O’Shea lost both his legs in a railway accident 15 years ago, and described the treatments he received from TDF as his “killer advantage” in this year’s Games.
A Saturday Service and Evening Service providing various treatments have just been launched, but more help is needed fast to keep the charity alive.
Kicking off the fundraising events is photojournalist Dennis Hart, who will hold a talk on his colourful career at the Henry Seddon Teaching Centre, Stanmore, on Thursday, November 8, at 7.30pm.
Tickets for the talk, entitled “My Life as a Fleet Street Journalist”, will cost £10, with all proceeds going towards the charity.
To reserve tickets, and for more information on TDF’s upcoming events, call 0208 954 7373.
For advice on how to donate, visit http://virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?uniqueVmgCharityUrl=tdf
