Why giving back is vital to life.

Dave and Fiona Cormack said yesterday that making a donation to CLAN was a privilege. What a kind and generous comment. The work done by the third sector across the world is so important - we often don't realise the good work they do until we need them.

Cancer support services can make an horrific experience a little more bearable. A friendly ear, some useful tips, signposting to more help, and a welcoming face can make a bad day a good day. Whether it is help with an illness, a or a disability, our local charities do the work we often forget about.

Generous donations are important - charities which are funded by local authorities are seeing their income decline, while demand for services increases. Charities without statutory funding have to fundraise for every single penny they need. Whether it is thousands or a few pounds, we can all share our good fortune with others - to make sure the services are there for when our loved ones might need it. How generous can you be?