ONE evening, while in the middle of tea, there was a small ring at the door, and upon opening it, I was confronted by a small gang of about six children - all of junior school age - supposedly collecting for Alder Hey Hospital.

I should like to point out that they had no authorisation forms or official badges, no collector's card, nor any collection boxes.

After I had read the riot act to them about this, they then proceeded up the road and called at a neighbour's house and went away disgruntled having been given a negative answer there as well.

Could I, through the Star, warn pensioners (elderly or infirm) of this type of 'con artistry' as ALL collectors must be officially authorised. Anything else is just being mercenary.

B. J. Millner, Smith Street, Sutton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.