THE British public maintains more charities than any other nation on earth with donations, even though they are among the highest taxed people.

Our generosity knows few bounds and, presented with a worthy cause, we rally round and raise money from somewhere even though our government has virtually squeezed us dry.

There are times, though, when pleas for help must be tempered by annoyance and frustration. A prime example were two recent reports in the Evening News.

The first was a plea from Worcestershire Royal Hospital, through the auspices of Santa Claus, for equipment essential for tiny babies, at total cost of nearly £48,000. A worthy cause indeed, and not a great sum considering how priceless and precious is a baby's life.

However, bearing in mind all the national insurance we have paid throughout our lives,

for the very things we should now take for granted, hospitals should not have to ask us for money to pay for this necessary equipment.

It should have been paid for by the government for whom we have voted and entrusted to ensure our money is directed where it is needed by ourselves when we require it.

In the same issue, it was reported that West Mercia Police is one of the first forces to be issued with the Taser gun, a state-of-the-art weapon that can hit you with 50,000 volts and stun you. It must work like a defibrillator in reverse.

Does it not seem contradictory and worrying that while the Police appear to boast access to funds for the latest equipment without the need to ask the public for handouts, our hospitals are reduced to begging?

RICHARD W BROWN,

Great Malvern.