I write as treasurer of Highworth Town Football Club to object most vehemently to the comments made by Shirley Mathias in her column last Friday.

They regarded recent fund raising events which took place at our club on behalf of a 12-year-old boy named Richard Hester, who is severely handicapped with cerebral palsy.

Both the family of Richard Hester and my colleague David Evans, who undertook the laudable task of raising the funds for Richard, were deeply offended by her comments.

May I extend an invitation for Shirley Mathias to come to Highworth and meet Richard Hester for herself and then see if she believes that what David Evans did was so wrong. Yes, there are starving millions throughout the world. There are, however, worthy causes closer to home also.

Over the years Highworth football club has raised in excess of £5,000 towards the Prospect Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind and a wheelchair for another severely handicapped child in Highworth.

A cheque for £15.14 is in the post to Shirley to send on to the Save the Children fund as she suggested.

Can we suggest that she sends her own donation to match ours.

CLIVE WEBB

Windrush

Highworth

n Shirley's reply, page 14