Madam, - An article by Louise Holden in your edition of July 27th, "Teenagers Stuck in the Middle", highlighted the sad fact that our counselling service for teenagers who experience problems as a result of their parents' separation was under threat of closure due to the curtailment of the funding. No substantial funds have been received and we now face winding down the service outside Dublin from September onwards.
However, we have recently received two very generous cheques. One was from a man who used the service a few years ago and whose letter said that his life "had been in bits" until he came for counselling. He had read the article and was very sad that other young people might not receive the help that he had.
The second cheque came anonymously from a person who had never needed the service but wanted to give something to ensure that those who did need it could continue to have it.
The two cheques will give us a lifeline - for a little while - but will not ensure that the service continues. However, through your paper I would like to thank both of them most sincerely, on behalf of the young people who need the service to continue. It is gratifying that people care about the continuation of the service and are prepared to step in to try and save it when no other lifelines have been thrown to us. - Yours, etc.,
ELIZABETH EVERETT, Chief Executive, Teen Between, Marriage & Relationship Counselling Services, Dublin 2.