Readers' letters

CALLS BEARS FRUIT

Dear Ed, – Due to the fantastic coverage the Gazette has afforded Calls For Heroes, local organisations and people have, as individuals and groups, raised enough money to allow the charity to purchase and send out enough phone cards for a full battalion of the Royal Scottish

Regiment serving in Afghanistan.

Timed just before Christmas, this will allow these troops, our heroes, an extra 90 minutes of satellite phone time to call home to friends and family and share in their Christmas cheer and should be a morale booster showing the level of support for these special people.

Amongst the organisations who, off their own back, have offered help in

raising money for this worthy project were Carluke Primrose Orchestral Flutes. Their chairman, Dougie Russell, called in at my garage some four weeks ago and offered to donate the proceeds of their coming Christmas Concert at St Athanasius Community Hall to Calls For Heroes.

The result was a wonderful night where the audience was superbly entertained by the "Flutes", Scottish Champions for the 14th consecutive time.

Under conductor John Bryce, who humorously compered the evening, there were brilliant renditions from their contest pieces including Beethoven's 7th Symphony, and seasonal music which allowed the talents of all the flautists, percussionists and rhythm section to shine through. They were magic!

Among the band members, proudly wearing his desert uniform, was postman George Cairns, who had recently returned from Territorial Army Service in Afghanistan.

The concert, raffle, a sponsored moustache shave by Dougie Russell and the waiving of the hall fee by St Athanasius Community Hall Committee, allowed Carluke Primrose Orchestral Flutes to raise well in excess of 1,000. This will allow more service personnel in Afghanistan to get more, much valued, satellite phone time to their folks back home.

Particularly at this time of the year, it has been so good for our Victoria Cross Town to show just how evident their talent and community spirit is in support of the many servicemen and women who unfortunately will not enjoy Christmas with their friends and loved ones.

Once again, our thanks to all who have supported this venture.- Yours etc.,

ALLAN SMITH,

President,

Rotary Club of Carluke.

WRVS THANK YOU

Dear Ed, – WRVS would like to say a big 'thank you' to all the volunteers who have given up their time throughout 2010 to help us support older people across Great Britain, especially those who battled through the snow to deliver hot meals, to ensure shops and cafes at busy hospitals were still able to open, and to help out at emergency rest centres set up for stranded motorists.

Our 45,000 volunteers make it possible for us to provide vital services such as meals at home, transport schemes, Good Neighbours projects and community centres – helping to make Britain a great place to grow old all year round.

Thank you and Happy New Year to all your readers! - Yours etc.,

ALISON LOVE,

WRVS Service Delivery Manager,

Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire.

DON'T HAVE REGRETS

Dear Ed, – I am writing to encourage your readers to make 2011/2012 the year of no regrets by participating in a British Heart Foundation (BHF) World Experience trek or bike ride.

With half of people in Scotland admitting they regret not travelling more and experiencing life to the full, BHF World Experiences provide a great opportunity to get active while seeing some of the great wonders of the world.

Exciting destinations for 2011/2012 include Climb Kilimanjaro Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Peru Inca Trail Trek, Great Wall of China Trek, Iceland Trek and Vietnam-Cambodia Bike Ride. The BHF supports all participants who are raising funds for their lifesaving work and since 1994 World Experience participants have raised over 6.4 million.

So if you're ready for an adventure of a lifetime in aid of the BHF then call 0844 847 2788, email [email protected] or visit bhf.org.uk/world for a free World Experiences brochure. - Yours etc.,

SIR RANULPH FIENNES,

(British Adventurer).

WEAR IT WITH PRIDE

Dear Ed, – I am writing to appeal for your readers' help during the Great Daffodil Appeal next March.

The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie Cancer Care's biggest annual fundraising event when we ask people to wear daffodil badges and show their support for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The funds raised help Marie Curie Nurses care for those with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes – giving people the choice to die at home surrounded by the people they love.

We would be very grateful to hear from anyone who believes they could raise around 35 from having a box of daffodil pins at work, and collecting donations from staff and customers.

In addition to the daffodil boxes, the local fundraising team is calling for volunteers to help organise local collections.

We would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who can help us as soon as possible. Please phone me on 0141 557 7563, send an email to [email protected] or visit the website www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodilbox. All support is vital. - Yours etc.,

EMMA HUTTON,

Community Fundraiser.