ON behalf of the Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale branch of Save the Children I would like to thank all the people in Pickering and surrounding villages who responded so generously to our “No babies born to die” appeal, to raise funds to build baby clinics in Bangladesh.

Every day, one million babies throughout the world die on their first and only day of life, deaths which could easily be prevented by a trained midwife.

Our house-to-house collection in Pickering and surrounding villages raised a fantastic £2,036.41 (plus gift aid) towards this appeal, our best ever total.

Of course no collection would be possible without our regular volunteers, who generously donate their time to go out and collect for us. We would like to use your page to thank them all.

Wonderful as this year’s total is we are always looking for ways to raise more funds to ensure that children, in this country and abroad, will survive, thrive and enjoy the opportunity to live a healthy and meaningful life. This is every child’s birthright.

We Save the Children – will you?

Plans for local events this year include an August Bank Holiday Duck Derby in Thornton-le-Dale and a Harmonia choir concert in October.

Your support for, or practical help at either of these would be greatly appreciated. Please phone me on 01653 694050.

Janet Laverick, collection organiser of Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale branch of Save the Children