By flying out to Pakistan and putting his own life at risk in order to save lives, Jonathan Wharrad has shown that he "has what it takes": courage, physical and mental prowess, and endurance (Jonathan's rescue bid in 'quake zone, October 13).

I would encourage young men in the Vale who wish to "see if they have what it takes" to follow his example by joining organisations such as Rapid UK. They should not be misled by Chief Petty Officer Ray Harris or anyone else into joining the armed forces. In the armed forces they will have to go through a brutalisation process to remove the inhibition that normal loving human beings have against killing people.

Jonathan Wharrad has rightly chosen to save people's lives, not to take them.

Gordon Matthews, Cowl Street, Evesham.