Sir, May I, through your columns, pay tribute to the enduring generosity of the people of Wantage and Grove?

When great need becomes apparent, individually or collectively, at home or abroad, the Rotary Club of Wantage are always ready to respond.

However, this often requires us to raise significant funds.

So it was that, on Children in Need day recently, our members took to the streets of our neighbourhoods, accompanied by a life-size Pudsey Bear.

When the children of Millbrook School emerged from lessons in the afternoon their reaction to being met by Pudsey was a joy to behold. Everywhere we went we were greeted with warmth and humour, and our collecting buckets were filled with around £600.

The following day those same buckets were employed again, as Wantage Rotarians were out and about, this time seeking aid for the survivors of the Philippines disaster.

Yet again, our wonderful local population responded magnificently, as we collected over £2,000, which has now been used to supply both shelter boxes and water survival boxes to the distressed victims.

Bill Roycroft, President elect, Wantage Rotary Club