SIR: During Volunteers Week '98 (June 1-7) I should like to publicly thank all volunteers in the area who do such a wonderful job raising money for the Arthritis Research Campaign. Without their efforts, the ARC would not now be leading the field identifying causes, investigating treatments and moving towards a cure for this crippling disease.

Many ARC supporters themselves suffer from arthritis, and I know how hard it is for them to fundraise on our behalf. Some like to do their own thing simply by holding a coffee morning each year, or by selling our Noddy badges and Christmas cards.

Others join our network of branches and supporters' groups working together to raise the money the Arthritis Research Campaign so desperately needs to continue its work.

Whether they raise £50 each year or £5,000, I think they are marvellous, and want everyone to know how much their work is appreciated.

June 7-14 is Arthritis Research Week, and many volunteers will be out with their collecting tins. Please help by giving generously. We need more people to help us bring an end to arthritis by raising money for research. If anyone would like to join us or would like more information, they can contact me on 0161 427 4632 for more details.

Julia Kerr,

Lyme Grove, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 7NW. ?

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.