THANKS to all those who supported our busking in the weeks before Christmas in aid of Dogs for the Disabled. In total we collected £64.29, which will all be sent to Dogs for the Disabled to help fund training more dogs to help disabled children and adults, children with autism and people with Alzheimer’s disease.

My own dogs, trained by Dogs for the Disabled, have transformed my life and given me back my independence. My dog fetches items I drop, helps me get dressed and undressed, opens and closes my doors and gates, jumps up to shop counters to assist me and does many other tasks. He is my independence and without him I would not be able to get out on my own. Each dog is trained to help the individual and our dogs are our lifelines.

Being able to be independent restores my self confidence and cheers me - please support our charity so everyone who needs an assistance dog can have one.

Jill Brown, Salisbury 

SALISBURY Trust for the Homeless carried out two street collections in Salisbury in the run-up to Christmas. On December 17, with the help of the combined Salisbury U3A choir singing carols in The Maltings, £512 was raised in one hour - a magnificent result.

Four days later, on a rain swept December 21, a city centre collection raised £2,460. Huge thanks to Salisbury shoppers for their generosity and to all our collectors for their stamina. These funds will help us make a real difference to the lives of local people who have become homeless.

Looking forward to 2014, we are holding our annual fundraising photographic competition in March and April. This year’s categories are 21st Century, The Weather and Small, so let your imaginations run wild and take some great photos. Please see stfh.org.uk for entry details. A happy new year from all the staff and volunteers at STFH and thank you for your continuing support.

Gordon Pardy, Chairman STFH