IF the money spent on TV appeals was spent on people in need it would alleviate all the begging adverts we have to put up with.

I have been unsuccessfully trying to find a company that can supply me with clean water for a month for just £1 and how to feed a child for £2.

For that kind of money I would willingly change my supplier.

As one of the ancients of this overburdened country I am sick of being perpetually importuned to give when all we seem to receive is more appeals and asylum seekers.

My son, who is now 52 years old, collected silver milk bottle tops to provide money for Africa etc.

Where has it all gone?

I now ask charity collectors if the cash they are collecting is exclusively for English charities.

If not, my answer is a polite no.

Most of these appeals are from a part of the world that is unbelievably rich and also trying to destroy my way of life.

A Telford, Darlington.