FRANK and PAT GOODERSON, Coombe Close, Dartmouth, write:

I think that we, the aged, living in Dartmouth and local vacinity, are very fortunate to have Dartmouth Caring and all those people that are engaged in some way or another in caring for those of us that would be otherwise helpless without them.

Dartmouth Caring does so much and they are at the end of a phone if you need help. There are also the independent carers, the nurses at our hospital and of course the volunteers.

I know that I have had cause to call on all of their services when I went into hospital for open heart surgery and without the carers and good neighbours, I would have had problems.

My wife, who is now in Beacon Court Home, is dependent on carers, who I must say look after her every need. The staff are wonderful people, and the manageress, Sharon, is not one to sit in her office, she is out there mucking in with her staff, making sure the home runs smoothly, and that the patients are cared for.

As for myself, at 87, I too have cause to sing the praises of Dartmouth Carers and carers etc. I go for lunch at the Over-60s cafe in the market on Wednesday's and Thursday's, being waited on by lady volunteers, who in some way or another do so much for the community. There is so much help, all you have to do is ask.

Whether we like it or not, we all will get old and it's nice to know that there are people out there who care. It's not everyone's cup of tea to help the aged and for those that get paid for doing it, they certainly don't do it for the money. I do know that when I cared for my wife, it was not at all easy and very hard work.

So I say to all – think of all these people that go to make up the caring profession. Remember that one day you too may be calling on their help. One other point I would like to mention, is all the begging letters we get, but there is one cause I would certainly contribute to and that is a Fund for Carers - we need them, God Bless them and all the volunteers, to you I say 'Thank You.'