Email: Happy to donate

John Wilkinson (Neither know or care—18th February) stated in his reply to the comment by Sue of nb No Problem (Must get public support—17th February) that ‘... the vast majority of that which [Sue] describes as 'the public of the UK' neither know nor care about the waterways and to think that they will ever give generously to support them is, I'm afraid, misguided in the extreme.'

And of course your very own ‘official naysayer' Victor Swift also poured scorn on the idea of the public donating to any appeal by CaRT. I really wish they would both take a leaf out of Orph Mable's guide to life, calm down and have a cup of tea.

One of vast majority

Getting to the point now, I am one of the vast majority of ‘the public of the UK' of whom Sue speaks and which you both decry, no I don't own a boat, dog or bike either! However I have enjoyed using the canal network by the kindness of boat owning friends who have lent me their boat for holidays, by hiring boats from members of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators when I could afford their rates(!) and by supporting canal-side and floating businesses as often as possible.

When the Government dissolved British Waterways and replaced it with CaRT I found that I now had a way of making direct financial donations to help save our canals. Yes I have responded to the appeals for financial help, yes I have donated on this occasion as I did on the Dutton Breach appeal. CaRT has to be given the encouragement to raise funds in whatever way it can as it certainly won't be getting a ‘hand-out' from 10 Downing Street.

Sue spoke common sense when she said ‘We need to save these waterways for us all. Please don't keep damning it.' I'll keep supporting and donating for as long as I can and I urge others to stop sitting on their hands and wallets for you'll all certainly have something to really moan about if CaRT can't keep your boats afloat!!

Kevin Lockie—a member of the public.