It is my privilege to have been recently elected chairman of the Help the Aged Committee for Sussex.

I thought this might be a good time to remind readers of the work we do. The committee is a group of volunteers working within the national charity.

We raise funds to for those groups and organisations which give "hands on" support to elderly people in Sussex.

The range of activities supported by the committee ranges enormously, from providing funding for a minibus or kitchen equipment for lunch clubs and day centres to giving grants to enable groups of older people to have a Christmas dinner or a coach trip.

To date, the committee has given more than £350,000 in grants and all the money we raise stays in Sussex.

We have received tremendous support from other voluntary groups such as Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheel and the Lions and from individuals.

For the next few months, we are working with Honeywood House, the specialist hotel for blind and partially-sighted guests in East Preston, on a series of events to raise funds.

So far, we have planned a concert, a race night and a charity auction. To launch the partnership, we are holding a special two-course luncheon with coffee at the excellent Six Bells in Lyminster on Friday, September 12.

Numbers are limited to 40 people so I would advise anyone who is interested in coming to contact me on 01903 770339 as soon as possible.

-Peter Hards, chair Help the Aged Sussex Committee