Contact the elderly

I was pleased to see that, earlier in the summer, you published a letter from Trevor Lyttleton - himself a solicitor - about Contact the Elderly and its work in relieving the loneliness of many isolated elderly people (see [2001) Gazette, 21 June, 18).My wife and I have for many years, both before and after I retired from practice, been enthusiastic supporters of this fine charity, and I would like to add a word of endorsement.The aim is to provide for small, stable groups of people monthly visits to private houses for tea on a Sunday afternoon.

For this, volunteers both as drivers and as hosts/hostesses are required - with a huge, and growing, need to meet, there are plenty of places to fill in each category.The commitment is not onerous, and is well-suited to a busy lawyer, with a full (and unpredictable) weekday diary.

The rewards are enormous, in getting to know some wonderful, and courageous, people.Contact the Elderly is one of the most cost-effective charities.

Apart from a small, mostly part-time, staff, it consists primarily of volunteers, whose contributions in time, transporting and catering multiply many times the value of donations received.

Anyone wishing to find out more about Contact the Elderly can visit the Web site www.contact-the-elderly.org or freephone 0800 716 543.Hugh Peppiatt, Wimbledon, London