IN January, I became chairman of the Darlington and District Province of the RAOB (The Buffs) to serve one year.

One of my duties is to select a charity and raise money for it.

My chosen charity is children with autism and children with special needs at Harewood House, in Darlington. I have managed to raise £1,055.

I would like to thank all those who helped me and without whose help this amount would not have been raised. In particular, my wife Eileen, friends Loretta and Barry Franklin, Barbara and Jeff Martin and Vicky Kingsley.

Also the committee, staff and members of East End WMC and last, but by no means least, the members of the various lodges in the Darlington and District of the RAOB.

Alex Wilkes, Darlington.