I am writing to thank the many churches, friends and supporters of the Forty Days – Forty Items initiative who have given the Cornelius Fund a remarkable number of bags containing items of clothing, good bric-a-brac, toys and money that they collected over the 40 days of Lent.

We would particularly like to thank Carolyn Lawrence, who brought the idea to us and ­circulated the proposal around Kingsbridge; and Graham Fish, pastor at Kingsbridge Family Church, who arranged for us to use the church rooms for ­sorting the donations.

We now have the considerable task of assembling and ­displaying in our charity shop in Mill Street all the gifts so kindly given to Cornelius.

We are experiencing a ­growing number of people coming to us for help and financial support to assist them into private rented accommodation in the Kingsbridge area.

The availability of rented housing, small flats and rooms is now becoming more limited, and this, coupled with changes in the state benefit systems, makes it a very difficult time for many people. We have recently been able to assist a number of local people, ­including young mums with children, single people and an elderly lady.

So thank you again for all those who support Cornelius so generously and for all those who gave so magnificently to the Forty Days – Forty Items scheme.

Carolyn Schofield

chair, Cornelius Fund

Coronation Road

Salcombe