We can still give

Like many other people, I (and Stanley, my gibbon, of course) was very disappointed at the cancellation of the Littlehampton Bonfire Night, but I was even more saddened by the reaction of some people, who criticised the Littlehampton Bonfire Society, and even demanded their money back (Gazette, October 31).

I’m sure it wasn’t any of the lovely people who happily put money in Parry’s bucket on Saturday morning in the High Street (Parry is my bird of Paradise puppet). A big thank-you/squawk from us.

Many groups had spent months preparing their floats, etc., but the bonfire society ha spent a whole year preparing. Its members were, naturally, devastated, but had to go by the recommendation of the fire service to cancel.

So I, and many others I know, including those who’d been busy preparing soup, etc., at Littlehampton Baptist Church, have nothing but sympathy for them, and immense gratitude for all they do.

But what about all those local charities, who were so disappointed because they are not going to get their expected donations (mostly for something specific)? Perhaps the good people of Littlehampton and the surrounding area could still give to support these charities? That, I’m sure, would lift the spirits of the bonfire society members and the charities.

We can’t recapture the joy of Bonfire Night, but we can at least bring a spark of encouragement to some people in need.

It was stated in the Gazette (October 31) that we can donate at David O. Jones Sports, or the Dolphin pub, both in High Street, Littlehampton. So, shall we? We can’t hope to raise the £10,000 target, but ‘every little helps’, doesn’t it?

Di Brown

Broadmark Lane

Rustington