Readers’ letters

Running to help

Dear Ed, – It isn’t long until the streets of Edinburgh become alive with runners, as the Great Edinburgh Run is nearly upon us in October.

We are asking for those people already lucky enough to have their own place and those who are yet to sign up, to join our team and run for us, in either the 10k or 5k race!

We are the only organisation in the UK that is focused on supporting people after meningitis and, with over 40,000 people in Scotland who have had meningitis and nearly 750 cases each year, we really do need your help.

We support thousands of people each year who have had to go through the trauma of meningitis.

As we don’t receive any Government funding, we can only support those people through donations, so you will make a huge difference to the thousands of people that need us the most.

The atmosphere around the course is amazing and all of our runners can look forward to encouragement from the Meningitis Trust cheering team. If you would like more information, contact me on 0845 120 4885.

I am looking forward to hearing from you. – Yours etc.,

JOANNA STEVENSON,

Community Development Officer Scotland,

Meningitis Trust.

Phone thanks

Dear Ed, – I would like to express my sincere thanks to the young man who found my mobile phone outside of Prego, Clyde Street, Carluke on the evening of Saturday August 13.

The young man contacted my home number and arranged for its return.

Unfortunately in the confusion his name and address were not obtained. I would like him to know that I am very grateful. - Yours etc.,

HAZEL McMURTRIE,

Carluke.

Fill pots of care

Dear Ed, – There are just weeks to go for nurseries, primary schools and youth groups to sign up for Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Mini Pots of Care fundraising activity.

Mini Pots of Care is a project for 3-11 year olds where children receive a pot and daffodil bulb to plant in the autumn.

They care for their plant throughout the winter months and then in the spring they celebrate their daffodils in bloom by holding a Mini Pots of Care Day where they have fun painting their pots, learning about the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care and fundraising for the charity.

Register your school or group to take part by calling 08700 340 040 or visiting www.mariecurie.org.uk/minipotsofcare by October 7, 2011.

Mini Pots of Care is supported by City Link, who deliver the kits to schools and groups free of charge.

All money raised from the activity will help Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care to terminally ill people in their own homes. – Yours etc.,

EMMA HUTTON,

Marie Curie Cancer Care,

Glasgow, Lanarkshire & Dunbartonshire.

Boycott milk call

Dear Ed, – Dairy farmers have long blamed badgers for spreading bovine tuberculosis, yet all the while keeping cows incarcerated for much – or even all – of their productive lives inside the filth and squalor of a factory farm shed.

Those animals who do not succumb to one of the many illnesses and conditions found inside these ‘disease factories’ will be sent to slaughter when their productivity declines.

Their young – an unwanted by-product of milk production – are likely to meet a similar fate.

The public has spoken vociferously against badger culls through a number of consultations, and still Defra pays no attention. The clamour from dairy farmers has drowned out all rational argument.

We are, therefore, asking all people who care about badgers now to put their money where their hearts are and boycott milk. By choosing dairy-free alternatives, compassionate people can help end the misery of dairy cows and at the same time send a strong message to dairy farmers: don’t blame badgers for your own welfare failings.

Milk-free information packs are available free of charge from [email protected] or call 01732 364546. – Yours etc.,

KATE FOWLER,

Animal Aid,

The Old Chapel,

Bradford Street,

Tonbridge,

Kent.

Help in struggle

Dear Ed, – Working on the front line of financial need in the UK, Elizabeth Finn Care sees first hand the real impact that difficulties in the wider economic climate are having on struggling British families.

Our summer childcare costs report revealed that one in six parents are having to resort to calling in sick so they can take time off work to avoid childcare costs.

And one in five parents will incur debt to make ends meet over the school break.

Families are being forced to make tough and risky decisions and as a charity that supports people in financial difficultly, we know that it isn’t just ‘vulnerable’ households who are in need; families who never expected to have financial problems have had their incomes cut and are struggling to make ends meet too.

We urge people to make sure they are aware of all the financial support available.

Parents can visit our free online confidential Turn2us service to check their benefit entitlements or eligibility for grants at www.turn2us.org.uk. – Yours etc.,

ROB TOLAN,

Head of Policy and Research,

Elizabeth Finn Care,

200 Shepherd’s Bush Road,

London.

Leave a legacy

Dear Ed, – Britain is a charitable nation. Almost three in four of us support a charity in our lifetime.

We hold coffee mornings. Run marathons. Shake tins. Bake cakes. Jump out of planes. All in the name of our favourite charities.

But when it comes to remembering these charities in our will, most of us don’t do it. In fact, only 7 per cent of the UK leaves a gift in their will.

Legacies are worth almost £2 billion a year to charities. That’s equivalent to almost 20 Comic Relief appeals every year.We’re supporting Remember A Charity Week to encourage more people to think about leaving a small charitable gift, after they’ve taken care of their family and friends.

Please give a thought to your favourite charity when writing your own will and help their work live on. Thank you. – Yours etc.,

DAME JUDI DENCH,

(The College of St. Barnabas),

DAME VERA LYNN,

(The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy),

JANET STREET-PORTER, SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON, HONOR BLACKMAN, TONY ROBINSON, IMELDA STAUNTON, JANET ELLIS,

(Maggie’s Cancer Centres),

DAVID DIMBLEBY

(Dimbleby Cancer Care),

JONATHAN DIMBLEBY

(Dimbleby Cancer Care),

EDWINA CURRIE,

(Elizabeth Finn Care),

FERN BRITTON and

GREG WISE,

(NSPCC)

RICHARD WILSON,

(Magpie Dance).