LETTER: Disgusted by ban on collection

I went down to the Carfax in the afternoon to look at the display of Armed Forces vehicles and I noticed they had posters announcing that there was to be an event to raise funds for ‘Help for Heroes’. This was not being held in Horsham; so I asked one of the gentlemen who was on duty if they had a box for donations for this every worthy cause.

I was disgusted to be told that Horsham Council had refused permission for them to collect – they only wanted to collect in the Carfax not all round the town centre. How low can this council stoop?

It is very important that we never forget those who gave their lives that we might live and also all those who have suffered such terrible injuries.

Mrs BERYL SMITH

Blunts Way, Horsham

A spokesman for HDC said: “Horsham District Council issues over 150 street collections permits a year to charities and we try to accommodate as many requests as we can but inevitably there is sometimes competition for certain dates.

It is unfortunate when a charity cannot be accommodated and in this case the applicant did not book the specific date in time and was offered alternative dates to carry out a street collection.

Horsham District Council is completely committed to supporting our Armed Services and this is demonstrated by the fact that we are in the process of signing the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

Thanks to those who donated

The Horsham and Crawley Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society held a street collection in the area surrounding Horsham on June 8, 2013 and collected £686.16.

We would like to thank the people of Billingshurst, Holbrook, Roffey and Southwater for their generous contributions. All the money will be spent in helping our local members affected by MS.

MARGARET THOMAS

Hon Branch Secretary, Hillside, Horsham