Letters to the Editor

Eight years ago my dad was told he had liver failure. His liver deteriorated so much that 20 months ago he was told he had a matter of months to live unless he had a transplant.

He was sent home with a pager, his only hope being a suitable match. At 57 years old his time was nearly up.

Thankfully, three weeks later a match was found and after a lengthy operation at St James's Hospital, and recuperation, my dad was allowed home, fit and well with a new lease of life. He has regular checks, but as long as he takes his medication, his future looks good.

Being told that a close family member is going to die is devastating. The waiting for a chance of life is worse. Fortunately we were very lucky. A donor was found in time. Some people are not so lucky.

Having seen the marvels that can be performed, I cannot stress too much how important it is that people consider carrying a donor card.

Mrs J Abbott, Farlea Drive, Eccleshill.

SIR - I write to applaud Bradford Council for their plan to start a composting site at Northcliffe allotments.

I live next to the park and visit there often and have no problem with this new venture. Indeed, I think it is an innovative idea to recycle useful materials. Doing so will save the council tax-payers money by producing usable compost for parks and allotments, rather than having to pay for compost and landfill tax.

Every week hundreds of tons of garden "rubbish" must be taken to Bradford Council's tips. Having such a scheme created in a public park may just help show people an environmentally-friendly option.

There is something very satisfying as well as efficient about growing something in the earth and then reusing it to grow something else.

Unless we all learn how to recycle much, much more of what we produce we will have no space left for parks. We will just have room for buildings, roads, and landfill sites.

Howard Cleveland, Trenance Drive, Shipley.

SIR - Re the report "Third time lucky for Millennium fun" (May 2).

How sad to see plans for so much money go up in smoke when just a small fraction of the £280,000 is so badly needed to make the road on which I live fit for adoption, and fit for civilised society to live on.

So much money has been spent on certain parts of Bradford, but because Oakenshaw is not classed as a deprived area, and because our 40 houses do not consist of a housing estate, we are not being given any help from Bradford Council.

This is in spite of many of the occupants being on benefits, and the pensioners among them risking life and limb every time they step out of their doors.

Those of us who bought our property some years since, have seen the roads deteriorate to such an extent that we cannot now sell and move away from the nightmare, but we have no powers to make the landlords and businessmen who use the road put up any money either.

Far from being a Capital of Culture, some of us in Bradford are living in conditions which are worse than they were over 100 years ago.

Stop living in a bubble, you Councillors. And Mrs Eaton, if you have to pose, may I suggest you assume a more dignified position.

Mrs P Sharpe, Beresford Street, Oakenshaw.

SIR - I would like to thank the Telegraph & Argus for mentioning the International Year of Volunteers (IYV2001), and the vital contribution volunteers make to organisations such as the Children's Society ("Volunteers and cash needed", April 16).

The International Year is proving a wonderful opportunity for 123 governments from around the world to celebrate the contribution that volunteers make, and to encourage others to take part.

If any T&A readers would like to know more about the International Year of Volunteers and how to get involved, they can call the IYV2001 team on 020 7401 5430 or check out the website at www.iyv2001england.org.

Ruth Johnson (IYV2001 Co-ordinator, England), York Road, London SE1.

SIR - I travelled to London via GNER over the Easter weekend and would like to say how well I was treated.

The GNER staff were so very helpful. I should have no worries of travelling again.

To add to the pleasure, the trains were absolutely on time!

Pat Wilson, Harper Grove, Idle.

SIR - Some time ago you printed an article on depression, "It's time to end the shame".

It went on to say how this is a physical chemical problem, yet you can guarantee it will wreck your chances. If a potential employer is told about this, they will discriminate against you.

The WRVS (Women's Royal Voluntary Service) is one of those employers. As a former project leader for Meals on Wheels to the sick and elderly, I suffered depression and was sacked.

Seemingly now a woman with depression has been turned down for a voluntary job delivering meals by this organisation.

A Woodhead, Lower Grange, Bradford 8.

l Helen Mellor, Media Relations Manager for WRVS, said: "WRVS was saddened by these comments. The organisation treats all individuals, both employees and volunteers, equally and fairly, and complies with all relevant legislation where appropriate."

SIR - The president and members of Bradford Lions Club would like to thank the businesses and many individuals who helped to make their Silent Auction in aid of the Lord Mayor's Brainwave Appeal, a success. The event raised £750.

Should any reader wish to take part in any similar charity fund-raising events, we will be pleased to entertain them at one of our regular meetings. We meet at the Fountain Inn, Heaton, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 8pm.

Dudley M Berry (for Bradford Lions Club), Grange Park Road, Cottingley.

Editor's note: On Tuesday, April 24, we carried a letter with regard to disturbances in Bradford on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend which called for a apology from Chief Superintendent Sunderland. We would like to point out that Chief Superintendent Sunderland was not involved with the policing of the events referred to.