I would agree with the editorial opinion in last weeks Gazette that no one can condone sending anonymous hate mail to anyone.

It's particularly galling when it is aimed at someone who is making an effort to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Rachel Shah, from Derry Hill, should be supported in her fundraising efforts to help ease the famine crisis in Southern Africa.

Unfortunately, however, much of the blame for the current crisis cannot be attributed to drought and crop failure.

Last week's paper also reported on the refugee from the turmoil in Zimbabwe and the anti-white racism that forced her to flee the country.

The fault lies with the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, who has overseen the destruction of the farming industry, mostly white-owned and operated, which had in recent years been so successful that not only could the country feed it's own population but was also exporting food to others.

As I said Mrs Shah's efforts are commendable, but if Mr Blair's Government took more positive action in dealing with Mugabe rather than acting as President Bush's lackey then the famine might well have been averted.

Britain was involved in resolving the problems in Sierra Leone, so why not in Zimbabwe?

Is it because this time we are talking about people instead of precious natural resources?

Robert Baggs

Oxford Road,

Calne