PLEASE may I through your columns say thank you to the many local people who contributed to our latest collection of 5ps — amounting to £150, and sent to Bude Rotary Club for their Shelterbox fund.

We continue to be inspired when we are reminded that the Shelterboxes are put together, transported and distributed by local volunteers to people who have lost everything in dreadful natural disasters.

Bude Rotary Club recently received an award for being the highest contributors to the Shelterbox Fund and as always they deserve our congratulations and support. Though our cheque could be considered a 'drop in the ocean', it is raised from many small (and a few large) contributions, but they are made with love and best wishes — not to mention gratitude at being part of a warm and caring community and living in this beautiful part of the world. 

And we all know, don't we, that if we look after the pennies (5ps!) the pounds will look after themselves. So keep saving folks. We'll send off another cheque come summer time.

Bude.