An elderly friend of mine has recently died. The latter part of her life was spent racked with pain and with her being virtually housebound. I visited and phoned her every day and she had one other good friend who visited her regularly on a weekly basis.

She still had, however, to spend many, many hours on her own, making her feel very lonely and vulnerable.

She was in her time, an active member of the community, and was deeply saddened that people seemed to have forgotten that she existed.

I am writing this in the hope that anyone who reads it, may give a thought to anyone that they know in a similar plight and to understand that a phone call or visit can make such a difference. I found it upsetting to see people at her funeral who had had no communication with her for the best past of two years. Too little, too late!

Sharon Draper,

Frome Road, Trowbridge.