I have to apologise to quite a number of subscribers and supporters. Over the past two months several have phoned to say that they have paid amounts into either the APN or Mission Rescue accounts: and said they will fax the details. Unfortunately, we have been having considerable trouble with our new fax machine. Sometimes the power feeding through is not strong enough to trigger the starting mechanism. On other occasions we hear the start signal and can hear a ghastly tapping, but nothing comes through. This is very embarrassing, as it means we cannot acknowledge payments and gifts: and I do try to be punctilious about this. I hope this catches the eyes of those affected.

Many of these are the children of unemployed families and, as you may suppose, having a very thin time of it indeed. If we can bring some fun and pleasure into their bleak little lives, then I think that is our duty. If you have children who have grown out of their toys, or who have toys to spare, I would be deeply grateful if these could be delivered to my office. They certainly don’t need to be new: we have people who help repair and restore toys, but time is running out.