Time to help those in need

These examples sound like a throwback to the Victorian era. They are not. They are indicative of Yorkshire today. Yet this appalling state of affairs follows 13-years of record investment in welfare by the previous Labour Government. It begs one question: where did all the money go?

Certainly not to 72-year-old Mary West. The Leeds senior citizen lavishes praise on Holbeck Elderly Aid, the community charity she describes as "beautiful" because she would not even get a hot meal without them. "I just have sandwiches," she said. "So this is it for me."

There could not be a more damning indictment of modern society than her gratitude and joy at receiving one charitable hot meal a week.

And it is not just the densely populated cities where many fend for themselves in the face of great hardship. Within the picturesque towns and villages nestled among Yorkshire's beautiful rolling hills and stunning countryside, one in four children are living in poverty.

The people at the heart of these distressing revelations now face an even bigger challenge. With the country floundering in a sea of debt, funding for community projects is running out, and charitable donations are drying up, when more families are dependent upon the goodwill of others. A survey of 200 charities in Leeds revealed many expect to make staff redundant or reduce their hours.

That is why the Yorkshire Post is launching its Communities in Need campaign today, a major fundraising drive to help deprived communities. Teaming up with the Yorkshire Community Foundations will enable us to spread the funds fairly, targeting the areas – and people – most in need of help.

This is an opportunity for Yorkshire families and businesses to make a lasting difference to all those who, for various reasons, have been cast adrift and are totally dependent on the compassion of others. Please give generously.