A true dilemma about foreign aid

turnover. How hard can it be? I mean, Elon Musk is talking about going to Mars yet we cannot make a paper cup that is easily recycled. GLENN MARTIN Chester le Street YOUR correspondent Chris Frazer goes right to the heart of the overseas aid dilemma. I find myself with the same mental predicament, may I draw an analogy?

If there was a shortage of food and my children had barely sufficient, but my neighbour’s children had none, would I provide for my neighbour’s children at the expense of my own?

However if rumours suggest my neighbours on the other side have enough, I could take some from them, the result being the children of three families now suffer from hunger.

It would be a difficult decision, which I am grateful I do not have to make. BILL RICALTON

Longhorsley WHAT was his name? The boy … time … could not reach, The one washed by the rain … and the tide … to the beach, Where was he from? Who … laced up his shoes, Is there now a lost Mom searching places for clues? Did he have any parents? Or did they too … meet the depths? Was there anyone caring in his final few breaths? What was his game? What … filled in his days? Away from this rain and the riding of waves? Does he know why he left? Even .... where he was headed ... Was he hoping to nest in the sand he was bedded? Who led him on board? Did they honour his bravery? Promise a place that was calmer with safety? Lend him their jacket to keep out the cold, Give him a blanket to sleep on and hold? How will this end? Do we watch from the side? Let this boy’s friends too get washed by the tide? Throw it our pounds while we sit on the fence, Refuse to get down till’ this problem is spent, Is that all he is? … an illegal migrant? For I see a boy that was feeble and frightened! Sunken with hopes of leaving the crisis, Washed up alone, not breathing and lifeless, Is this not enough? Do we need any more? Do we build our walls higher and lean on the door? Can we stomach our teas while we watch this unfold, Drown out their pleas ... leave their story untold, It’s now time for action! Let’s save on the speech, So no more young kids find their grave on the beach, For seeing such life find its end on the sand, Should force us to reach out and lend our hand! PATRICK McCANN Newcastle