People only have so much to give

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/18/people-only-have-so-much-to-give-to-charity

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I know times must be hard for charities. However, reading the sad story about 92-year-old Olive Cooke (Death fall poppy seller had ‘lost faith in people’, 15 May), it appears their requests for donations can go too far. I am 89 and the sole carer for my disabled son. I worked hard all my life and cared for my elderly parents for over 17 years until their death in my home. They could not cope in their council flat and I eventually had to give up my job and career.

According to government statistics my son and I are below the poverty line and yet, daily, we are bombarded by telephone, post and email to give contributions and subscriptions to different charities. Each time I have to explain that we already subscribe to our chosen charities such as Vision 21, Mencap, Age UK, National Autistic Society, and just cannot afford any more. It has gone beyond a joke.

Mind you, I had to laugh when I received a charity request to send donations to help a “lady in her 80s suffering from the pain of arthritis”. You see I am a lady in my (late) 80s suffering from the (severe) pain of arthritis. I have never asked anybody for money. I suppose I am lucky I have lived so long and somehow managed to cope without help. Ah well.Barbara MacArthurCardiff

• How sad that Olive Cooke felt driven to end her life in such a violent way. Approaching her age, my dream would be to have a farewell party with my loved ones followed by the attendance of an authorised person to set me free, life’s final mercy. Will the law be changed soon enough? Christopher LaurenceLincoln