Voluntary help for rural life

I AM writing to support Barry Dodd’s view that Local Enterprise Partnerships are in danger of missing rural potential (Yorkshire Post, November 7).

LEPs and the Government need to understand better that the many elements of the Yorkshire and Humber economy are all important for the vibrant region we all want to see.

Involve Yorkshire & Humber – the support agency for the voluntary sector – with rural partners in the region has produced research showing how voluntary organisations contribute to the economy.

The report Rural Lifelines shows a wonderful range of practical support including the wheels to work scheme which loans mopeds and a farming charity who found a relief worker to look after the herd of a farmer who was ill,helping him to survive.

These are just two examples of the life-changing ways the voluntary sector helps the local economy in rural areas.

Church message

From: Chris Schorah, Gascoigne Avenue, Leeds.

JOHN Gordon and Trev Bromby (Yorkshire Post, November 8) criticise the Church for trying to do something about social inequality, and other political issues, before putting its own house in order. Actually, I’m rather relieved that the Christian faith doesn’t demand that I personally have to get everything sorted in my own life before I can try and help my neighbour.

Worlds apart

From: SD Lindley, Carlton, Barnsley.

IN Saturday’s paper (Yorkshire Post, November 5), we read that an illegal immigrant who sneaked into the UK committed 20 offences, used five aliases and then claimed to be from four different countries has claimed £17,360 in damages for loss of liberty. Hold on, am I missing something here? I checked the date at the top of the page for April 1 but no it was November. After 34 years as a coal miner, and having just paid £900 in council tax, am I living in the real world?