To mark the 60th anniversary of its foundation, the Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund (formerly known as the Infantile Paralysis Rehabilitation Fund or the Malta Polio fund) has launched a website, www.phrfmalta.com, containing information about the organisation’s services, news and activities.

The PHRF offers assistance to governmental agencies and authorities, as well as private enterprises, in their programmes for the rehabilitation of the handicapped, and cooperates with other organisations, both government and voluntary, in advancing the welfare of the handicapped.

“We have supported all legislation that furthers the development of the rehabilitation programmes and provided services and technical assistance and other services compatible with the purposes set for our mission,” said chairperson Georgia Tabone at the launch of the website yesterday.

Over the years, she said, the PHRF has acted as a medium for deliberation, the exchange of ideas, knowledge, skills and experience and the compilation and dissemination of inform-ation. It has also organised trade classes and instruction courses, while encouraging research in the field of rehabilitation.

Mrs Tabone added that today, the PHRF hosts three workshops: the computer lab, the general workshop and the soft toys workshop. “These workshops are well attended and the council is constantly looking for ways and means of enhancing them,” she said.

The PHRF is run on a voluntary basis, and is always in need of funds.

“Today we are faced with the need for a maintenance programme for the centre, a programme that requires additional funds. There is a dire need to waterproof the roof, for work on the two shower rooms, to re-surface the road leading to the centre, and for new wheelchairs and walking aids, among other things,” said Mrs Tabone.

A thanksgiving Mass will be held on Friday, 6 October at 7pm by Mgr Carmel Zammit. On Saturday, 7 October, the PHRF is organising an awareness day.