I AM writing on behalf of the Stratford-on-Avon Fund Raising Committee for the Children's Society to thank, most sincerely, all those local residents who gave so generously to our recent house-to-house collections. This year we raised over £4,431, which is around £214 more than last year.

This is an amazingly helpful amount of money, which we know will be put to very good use by the Children's Society to help make a difference to children and young people who, for various reasons, have been deprived of a proper start in life. Their work, of course, also helps to create communities which are safer to live in.

Every child needs a chance in life and the support of local people is very much appreciated and is vital to the ongoing work of the Children's Society.

OLIVE FRASER, Hon Co-ordinator House-to-House Collections, Stratford Fund Raising Committee for the Children's Society.