"BLACKPOOL is coming to the forefront of sporting activities," says its leisure chairman Coun Roy Lewis (Citizen, April 15).

So is Fylde Coast YMCA.

The rapidly expanding YMCA building in St Annes stands at the centre of Fylde's sporting scene.

From this hub, spokes radiate outwards to the rim, which should ideally eventually encircle Fleetwood, Blackpool, Lytham, Kirkham, Freckleton and Garstang.

But in order to realise its full potential the YMCA needs money - urgently.

With enough money the YMCA can keep youngsters' minds off drink and drugs.

It can do this by attracting them to and occupying them in healthy sports, arts and crafts, dance and drama and other constructive activities.

The more money it gets, the more young idlers it can turn into athletes and the more young potential criminals it can turn into useful, law abiding members of society.

John Buckle,

St Annes.

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