SIR: Can any of your readers please spare a week to help people with physical disabilities and their carers enjoy a much needed break?

I write on behalf of Sandpipers in Southport, Merseyside, which urgently needs more residential volunteers during April, May and June, although we welcome help all year round.

Volunteers must be over 16 years old, but there's no upper age limit and absolutely no previous experience is needed - just a willingness to help out as part of a team.

Volunteers at the Centre assist our guests with aspects of personal care in support of our qualified nursing staff, as well as helping with outings, activities and entertainment, which are a special feature of a Winged Fellowship Holiday. We provide full support and training. It's hard work, but great fun.

Volunteers' accommodation and meals at the Centre are free, and we also cover all travel costs. This year we are offering a year's free membership of the Youth Hostel Association to any volunteers who come along and help us out. Surveys show that more than 98 per cent of our volunteers find their stay with us a rewarding and useful experience.

For more information on volunteering at Sandpipers, or any of our other Centres, based in Surrey, Essex, Southampton and Nottingham, please call me on 0151 481 0277 day or evening. Or contact the Winged Fellowship Trust, 20-32 Pentonville Road, London N1 9XD. Tel: 0171 833 2594.

Rosalind Deyes,

Volunteer Recruitment Officer,

The Winged Fellowship Trust.

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