IT’S a sad state of affairs when the council has to organise just one pauper’s funeral.

But Kirklees Council has had to sort out no less than 80 over the last five years. These are held for people who have no friends or family willing or able to pick up the cost.

It’s something you would think was more akin to a Dickens novel than modern society where many people live life at top speed.

It’s easy to forget there are thousands of people living lonely, isolated and even sad lives in the midst of our busy communities.

There are several groups throughout Kirklees providing befriending services and volunteer luncheon clubs that even pick up elderly and lonely people once a week to take them to community centres where they can have a good meal but, more importantly, the chance to socialise.

These volunteers are seen as saints by those who benefit from their kindness and dedication to helping others.

It seems strange that in a society where people have more ways than ever before to contact each other through the wonders of modern technology such as mobile phones and social networking, for some loneliness still casts a long, dark shadow over their lives.

But these people must have neighbours, relatives and friends. Surely people can spare a few minutes every other day or so to pop round and spend some time with them.

Every moment of social contact can be so precious and make them feel part of the world again.