PRINCE'S TRUST

FOR the majority of young people, getting their GCSE results was a joyous occasion, opening the door to further opportunities.

However, thousands of school leavers will wake up this weekend with no qualifications and little chance of finding work, beginning a lifelong struggle.

While the overall GCSE pass rate has risen again to 97.8 per cent, recent research, by The Prince's Trust and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, reveals that England's poorest areas continue to fall behind the rest of the country in reducing the number of young people who leave with no GCSEs.

There are currently more than one million 16-24 year olds not in education, employment or training, with many believing a lifestyle on benefits often compares favourably to that of peers who are still in education.

To address these issues, the Trust is aiming to help more than 40,000 young people this year get back into education, work and training and will continue to help young people achieve their potential through education and skills. - Martina Milburn, chief executive of The Prince's Trust.

CRICKET ON TV

AS a follower of televised cricket for many years, I am naturally sorry that from next season the service will cease to be universally available.

I very much enjoyed Test match cricket when it was broadcast by the BBC but Channel 4, too, has provided a good service.

Commentator Richie Benaud, of course, I remember as a player and a fine one at that.

He first worked for the BBC as a summariser on radio's Test Match Special during the 1960 England v South Africa Series.

This was a one-sided series dominated by England and, during one match, I remember Benaud saying that South Africa were not good enough to get England out.

As a TV commentator today, Benaud is regarded as one of the best. Geoffrey Boycott, too, has turned out to be an excellent cricket commentator.

It would seem, though, that the talents of these broadcasters on terrestrial TV are due to be lost to the ordinary viewer.

Sky's offer to the cricket authorities, giving it exclusive TV rights to Test cricket in England, was probably far more than what the BBC and Channel 4 could afford. - LD Wilson, Guisborough.

SPECIAL DAY

FOR many years, we who survived Japanese prison camps have met at the Sunderland War Memorial in August to remember the comrades we left behind.

This year, being the 60th anniversary, we wanted it to be special - and it was.

We have so many people to thank: the mayor and councillors, the police, the School of Infantry, the officers and men from HMS Calliope, Captain Roberts and the Normandy Band, the men of the Army Foundation College from Harrogate, Lt Col Smith and the Borneo Band and Bugles, Major Ingram and the 102 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Sir Graham Meldrum and the fire, rescue and emergency services, Go Wear Buses and Stagecoach, Asda of Washington for providing drinks, the British Legion, Veterans' Associations, Chelsea Pensioners, Gurkhas and guards and the people of Sunderland and everyone who helped to make this a visible and moving tribute to all who fought and worked to establish freedom and peace in the last war.

A special thanks goes to Arthur Lockyear for the hard work he did to produce such a magnificent parade. - Len Gibson, Houghton-le-Spring.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

I'M writing to urge men, women and children in the North-East to support Cancer Research UK by signing up for a new event that will help them stay in shape and raise money for a worthwhile cause.

People of all ages and abilities can register now for Newcastle's David Lloyd Great Mile Run, which takes place on Saturday, September 10, and Friday, September 16, on the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside.

It costs just £4 to enter and you can support Cancer Research UK by making a donation or requesting a sponsorship pack while registering. But it's not just about raising money. It's about raising awareness too. Did you know that scientific research has shown that at least half of all cases of cancer could be prevented by a change in lifestyle?

I'm delighted to be supporting this exciting event because I have witnessed, at first hand, just how devastating a disease cancer can be. So come on, this is your chance to help make a difference. Visit www.greatmilerun.org. - Mark Ramprakash, Surrey CCC and England.

HURRICANE PLEA

I write to ask your assistance to get the word out. Everyone has seen the pictures of our Gulf Coast, but few are comprehending the desperation going on down there.

The people are in very high temperatures (90 plus) with high humidity as well. Thousands are at shelters that haven't even seen emergency services yet, and have been several days without food or water.

The mayor of New Orleans posted an SOS saying: "This is a desperate SOS as we are out of resources."

They don't have all the resources they need just yet, but it is getting there but, more importantly, in order to get the resources, they need the money to purchase it.

I'm asking if you would please visit the American Red Cross website, www.redcross.org. Please encourage British citizens to donate to this website in order to help the victims of hurricane Katrina. Keep in mind, the British pound is worth almost $2 here in America, so even if someone donates £1, they've donated double that for the victims.

As an American, I'm asking for your help to reach as many British citizens as possible. All help possible from around the world is needed and welcomed. - Alisia Quickel, US.

FUEL BILLS

A SUMMER of double figure price hikes by the major gas and electricity companies has left many people worried about how they are going to meet the cost of their fuel bills this winter.

Unfortunately, many people may be considering using their heating and appliances less, or making savings by spending less on other essentials, such as food and clothing.

A quarter of the population already spends between five and 10 per cent of their income on fuel bills. These price increases will have a significant effect on these households in particular, pushing those who had been able to manage their fuel bills up until now into fuel poverty.

Since 2003, gas prices have risen almost 20 per cent and electricity prices by almost 15 per cent. NEA estimates suggest that, since then, close to one million households have slipped into fuel poverty.

The good news is that there is help available. Warm Front, the Government-funded grant scheme, provides a range of heating and insulation measures and offers the prospect of lower bills and increased warmth for the elderly, people with disabilities, single-parent families and other vulnerable households.

I would urge anyone who thinks they will struggle to meet their fuel bills this winter to act now by phoning the helpline on 0800 316 2814 to see if they qualify for assistance. - William Gillis, Chief Executive, National Energy Action, Newcastle.