FOLLOWING the publicity surrounding the collapse of the charity Kids Company and publication of some salaries received by officers of national charities, I want to reassure Forest residents regarding Age Concern Forest of Dean.

We are a small local charity serving local people and our resources are focused on maintaining our meals and befriending services. Each of the seven Trustees is an unpaid volunteer and none receives any remuneration whatsoever, either by way of salary or expenses.

Because we run a large kitchen and two shops, we need some paid staff, mostly part-time. We also have a part-time admin assistant. None of these is highly paid and all, without exception, are committed to the charity and its aims. Apart from our essential staff we depend entirely on volunteers, some of whom receive car expenses, but that is all.

Anyone supporting our charity, by donating to or patronising our shops, by giving us grants individually or through their organisations or by publicising our work (which is entirely aimed at helping the elderly to maintain their independence and at keeping them out of care homes) may be assured that all our income is spent on maintaining services for the elderly.

– Daphne Pearson, chair of trustees, Age Concern Forest of Dean.