August 25, 1978
A SPECIAL friendship day for lonely patients at Studley Hospital may have to be scrapped if volunteers fail to step forward.
And the organiser of the One-to-One day at Abbeyfields Hospital has launched an attack on "people who are afraid to get involved".
Mrs Joyce Cassan, voluntary services co-ordinator at the hospital, said: "People are afraid to come and make friends with our patients.
"The public does not want to know - we just don't believe they want to get involved.
"If we don't get any more people stepping forward, the day may have to be scrapped and that would be a great shame," added Mrs Cassan.
The idea behind the day is for ordinary people to come and make friends with the patients.
The 100 long-term patients are all mentally subnormal and aged between 17-75.
Organisers have set up pony rides, a Punch and Judy show, craft stalls and discotheque for the evening.
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