I READ with great interest the touching story of little Tilly Lockey, of Tow Law, County Durham, whose parents and friends have had to work hard to raise funds for her prosthetic hands (Echo, Jan 20) and, I guess, this will be ongoing as the three-yearold grows.

We, as a country, give millions of pounds away to countries around the world, yet we can’t take care of our own.

We spend millions every day in Iraq and Afghanistan. The cost of two or three guided missiles would help Tilly for the rest of her life. Let us get things in perspective and help our own. God knows, there are plenty of them in need.

D Bowe, Wolsingham, Co Durham.