Lead story was unjustified for such a small amount’

I READ and re-read last week s Ely Standard front page story and each time I got more enraged. How could the Ely Standard justify a front-page slot for two businesses who can only raise £300 between them with the help of their staff? How much would it cos

I READ and re-read last week's Ely Standard front page story and each time I got more enraged.

How could the Ely Standard justify a front-page slot for two businesses who can only raise £300 between them with the help of their staff? How much would it cost to take out a half-page ad in the paper?

That's how much each business should be donating.

To add insult to injury, the poor people who have lost hundreds in savings receive just a £10 voucher that has to be spent in Budgens, who could be easily donating food at cost anyway.

Unless I have read the sorry incorrectly these businesses are laughing at the stupidity of the local press.

I am all for goodwill, but Blue Donkey are right, the benefits of staff co-operating in such a project are of great benefit to morale (worth far more than any boot camp or fun day). Just how much would one of those cost, I wonder? Add that to the publicity and you should be looking at least £3k, not £300! They gloat while keeping their money safely in the bank - it's obscene.

GILL PEDERSEN

Church Street

Soham

Editor's Note: The generosity of these two local businesses means that some of the Farepak customers who lost money will now be able to put a Christmas dinner on the table. Stupid we may be, but if the efforts of Blue Donkey, Budgens and the Ely Standard bring a bit of festive cheer to a few readers who are down on their luck, then so be it.