Sir,

We sometimes feel helpless after watching the list of appalling news that makes up television bulletins these days. We tell ourselves it's awful, but there's nothing we can do about it.

When you feel like that, there is a way of giving practical help.

There's a Christian Aid box, near the font in St. Mary's Church in the middle of Tenby. Money put in there is collected daily and sent to local Christian Aid headquarters in Carmarthen. From there it is rushed to help starving families of the world.

Aid goes to Syria, the Philippines, and all other places of conflict, unrest, danger and disaster.

It's a little known fact that though Christian Aid does not collect the most money among British charities, it does hand out the most cash to deserving causes.

This is because its army of volunteers and a very efficient administration keep costs lower than all other big UK charities.

And yet Christian Aid does not get as much publicity for its huge undertakings as many other similar organisations. This could be because of its strong religious connection.

Some news editors may be reluctant to offend other religions by asking Christian Aid managers to comment on crises in other countries -Syria or Lebanon for example.

Yet Christian Aid does not confine assistance to Christians. It helps everyone, regardless of race or creed.

So if you want to help desperate people all over the world after hearing of their plight in the news, please leave some money in the special collection box in St. Mary's. It really will make a difference. And I promise you won't even miss it. Thank you.

Malcolm Stacey,

Secretary,

Tenby Christian Aid,

Crackwell Street,

Tenby.