CHRIS Failes asks "Who does Ian Cameron think he is?" (Letters, April 3) when replying to the story about the parking I was given while collecting money for charity.
I do not need to think, I know who I am!
I am a man, born and bred Hartlepudlian and proud of it, who for the last five years has been astounded by your – my fellow Hartlepudlians – generosity each remembrance tide.
I am a man who when I rea
d Nick Buckley's (head of the Poppy Appeal) letter printed earlier this year congratulating the people of Hartlepool for the magnificent £27,000 they had contributed during the 2007 Poppy Appeal and the £100,000-plus in total over the last five years, was so proud to be a Hartlepudlian and to have been part, even if only a small part, of that appeal.
I am a man who believes that those who benefit from the Poppy Appeal need and deserve everything that they are given. So for the last five years I have not and for all future years will not claim one penny in expenses (even though I am allowed to) .
In fact, when I was interviewed I confirmed that if the council did not allow my appeal then I would pay the parking ticket myself.
I am a man who believes in helping whenever I can, whether it be as Santa Claus for the Special Needs Group (never could understand why they asked me, because as everybody knows Santa is a small fat elderly man with grey hair), or, as those who have frequented my local, the Wellington Inn, Wolviston, already know, charities such as Leukaemia Research, Breast Cancer, Hartlepool Hospice, Prostate Cancer and Billingham Physically Handicapped.
They have benefited from the £40,000 I have raised through my weekly draw.
Ian Cameron,
Wolvist
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