A MEMBER of my family rang their bank, Lloyds TSB, last week to check an account balance.

During the conversation they were asked if they were in receipt of child benefit and they answered that they were. The bank knew this as it is paid into her account. The bank employee immediately offered a special account protection service, free of charge for two months, but then it would be charged at £15 per month after that.

My relative refused this “offer”. I am astonished, but not surprised, that the bank are attempting to increase profits on the back of the Government’s failure to protect our personal data. They are preying on the real fears and concerns that many of us have. It’s profit above service every time.

Paul Cooney, Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Huddersfield

Join fight against Aids

NEXT Saturday millions of people across the world will be marking World Aids Day. Many of them will be women and girls who continue to be disproportionately infected and affected by HIV and Aids.

The shocking reality is that 75% of all young people infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are young women and globally the number of women living with HIV is rising rapidly.

A new report by VSO and ActionAid highlights that women’s higher vulnerability to HIV and Aids is a result of their unequal social, economic and legal status.

It shows that cultural and social attitudes towards sex and marriage worsen the situation, making it difficult for women to protect themselves or insist on condom use within a relationship.

Yet despite overwhelming odds many women and girls in the developing world are challenging these inequalities and demanding their rights.

They have the potential to become modern day Suffragettes. If supported, they can help stop the relentless spread of the disease and also lift their families out of poverty.

On World Aids Day help them in their fight for equality by joining VSO’s and ActionAid’s campaign at www.vso.org.uk or www.actionaid.org.uk and end the devastating impact of HIV and Aids on communities in the developing world.

Richard Hawkes, Director of international programmes, VSO

Helping out families

ARE you interested in the welfare of young children and their families? And have you got some time to spare to help a worthwhile cause?

Home Start Kirklees is a local registered charity and we are looking to recruit two trustees to join our management committee.

Home Start Kirklees is committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under the age of five. Fully trained volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families, primarily in their own homes, helping families to cope with everyday worries and crisis as well as promoting the enjoyment of family life.

We particularly need someone with an interest in raising the profile of our organisation and/or an interest in fundraising.

If you would like further information about joining us you could contact the senior co-ordinator, Theresa Burke, on 01484 421925 for an informal chat.

Anna Logue, Marsden

Stolen tree lights

CAN I say to the people who “found” my tree twig lights in the Alfred Street multi-storey car park on Sunday at about 3.30pm why didn’t you hand the item to the attendants? Why did you have to steal it?

I know we were absent-minded in leaving them there, but we put other items of shopping in first then forgot about the item stood up ready to put in and yes it was a tall box. But hey, these things happen.

I returned to the car park hoping it to be still there. Alas it wasn’t and I inquired at the attendants’ office to see if it had been handed in. No it hadn’t.

So enjoy my tree lights branch which I had been wanting for weeks and which my hubby treated me to with his hard- earned money. I hope it goes with your decor as it was going to do mine.

I am a firm believer in the saying “what goes around, comes around”.

J Clarke, Lockwood

Not reflecting our views

I WAS interested to read Stephen Makin’s letter about more and more people, in particular the remark about democracy, by which I assume he means that politicians always reflect the views of their constituents.

This is far from the truth in what used to be “Britain”. However, I wonder if he would agree with me that he is ever grateful to that wonderful mother who brought him into the world and gave him the chance to make choices for himself to experience this life which has been denied 6m souls, whichever way you want to argue.

Theresa Quarmby has every right to express her opinions; they are better than the voting of our two MPs.

I was told some time ago about a group of doctors in America who on the grounds of conscience would not abort babies. Pressure was put on them by the abortion lobby and they agreed to do them if the pressure group came and disposed of the embryo, foetus, baby, choose whichever word suits. They had no more pressure from the lobbies.

D Siswick, Edgerton

Thanks to Examiner

I WOULD like to thank the Examiner for trying to help the residents of Coombe Road, Milnsbridge, who have had to put up with a dangerous and sub-standard road for many years now.

Indeed, as local councillors and Kirklees highways have not helped the residents in the slightest we turned to your paper to highlight the plight of elderly pensioners (some in their nineties), mothers, fathers and children who live on Coombe Road. When local government totally fails it is reassuring to know that the free press is there to try and redress the matter.

Thank you again from all the residents.

Dr David Hill, Huddersfield