Thomas Guy’s statue

sir – Thomas Guy’s statue in the courtyard of Guy’s Hospital should stay (“It’s time to get Britain’s charities back on track”, Comment, September 12). Thomas Guy was a philanthropist who endowed this famous hospital and thus benefited the training of medical staff and treatment of countless patients. His Christian philosophy guided his generosity. We should celebrate this and not degrade it due to a tenuous link to slavery.

As a Guy’s-trained nurse, I am beyond sad about this situation. A minority view has prevailed when the majority of people who responded to the consultation voted for the statue to remain in its original position. Why then have a consultation?

History is not for us to like or dislike: it is there for us to learn from, not change or destroy.

Ann Shanahan

Lindfield, West Sussex