Lend a helping hand to our local charities

The British have a tradition of being great supporters of charity.

Here at the KM we are delighted to report on the many good causes across the area and the hundreds - nay, thousands - of pounds raised every week.

But when the events seem to run like clockwork, it is easy to overlook the fact that behind the scenes there is often just one or two individuals working very hard indeed.

That is illustrated this week by the example of Gwen Woods who has been running Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline in Maidstone for the past 19 years. Gwen is stepping down.

No-one can blame her for that - she is 75 and deserves a break after almost two decades at the grindstone. But the result is that the charity, which has brought joy to so many children from the Ukraine over the years - and helped strengthen international relations - may now have to close in the County Town. So far no-one has stepped forward to take Gwen’s place.

A similar thing happened last year, when Maureen Jopson, who had single-handedly co-ordinated the Maidstone Poppy Appeal retired at the age of 68.

For a while, it looked as though the appeal, which is universally popular and hugely supported each November, would falter in Maidstone. Fortunately, Maidstone Rotary Club and others stepped up to the mark to help.

We need to be more aware of the enormous sacrifices made by often just a few kind-hearted charity organisers and see if we can do something more practical to ease their burden.

It is easy to put a coin in a collection tin, but perhaps what is really needed is for people to give a few hours of their time.