MAY I, through the Times, ask for helpers for the Army Benevolent Fund?s Tavistock street collection which will be held on Friday, August 26? For over 60 years the ABF has been the Army?s national charity and has provided financial and practical support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. During the financial year 2004/05 it made around 2,500 grants to individuals and families, and annually makes grants to around 80 Service and other specialist charities that help soldiers, former soldiers and their families. It also supports around 1,000 elderly veterans, or their widows, living alone on basic pensions who receive small annuities to supplement their incomes. It provides modest top-up grants to help with care home fees where local authority grants are insufficient. Each year, over 200 families (around 650 people) benefit from our special holiday schemes for families under stress. There are three special funds to assist soldiers and their dependents who have been injured while on active service in Northern Ireland, the Falklands campaign and the Gulf War. If any of your readers would like to help, giving one or two hours of their time to assist with the street collection on August 26, would they please contact me on 01822 616374. Tim Hawkins Down Road Tavistock
