EARLIER THIS year you covered the efforts of local volunteers who were collecting money in support of ActionAid Week. I can now report that, through their efforts and those of similar people throughout the country, ActionAid has raised £830,000 to help the developing world.

The big-hearted response from members of the public never ceases to impress. And my colleagues, who are working in some of the world's poorest communities, will put all the money raised to good use. Some of it will help provide a decent education, adequate health care and clean drinking water for kids. It will also be used to train their parents in economic self sufficiency and household management skills.

This will mean better Christmases for years to come for many of the world's poorest people. It's such a wonderful seasonal present and I would like to say a big thank you to all your readers.

?Julie Wilson

Head, ActionAid Week

ActionAid

Hamlyn house, Macdonald Road, Archway, London N19 5PG

Tel: 0171 281 4101

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Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.