Madam, - At a time when public debate is focused on drunkenness, health cuts and the seemingly inexorable race to become a more selfish society, let me put a word in for those who are making a most positive difference to people's lives.
We have just had the pleasure of spending a wonderful weekend in Barrettstown House, Co Kildare at a camp for families of seriously ill children and I am extremely grateful to those people who helped make it a truly life-changing experience. To see the joy on my children's faces as they took part in all the activities was priceless. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff, mainly young people, who confirmed my faith in our youth and in humanity itself.
Hero is a word that is too often misappropriated but to the staff and volunteers of Barrettstown I say a heartfelt "thank you" for being heroes and for helping create a few new ones among all the children whom we had the good fortune to meet last weekend. - Yours, etc.,
DECLAN BANNON, Greenane, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.