DURING the last decade there have been numerous global crises of fire, flood and earthquakes, and on each occasion the generous peoples of the British Isles have been first in the breach with offers of financial and material aid.

At the present time, a large area of these Isles are under water, and people have lost their homes, possessions and livelihoods, not once but twice and three times. The town of Bolton and other towns have been very fortunate and unaffected, so would it not now be the time for the fortunates to think of their unfortunate countrymen and women in their hour of need?

I think that a fund, possibly called the 'British Flood Victims Fund', should be set up to assist the unlucky ones financially. I am sure that if every family in the dry areas were to contribute just £1 collectively, a substantial amount could be raised to ease the financial plight of the victims -- and in the process give meaning to the phrase that 'Charity begins at home'.

John Higson

Radcliffe Road,

Darcy Lever,

Bolton.