Letters, contributions and comments sent in from Times’ readers this week.

Support fundraiser in aid of homeless

George Clarke, Shelter ambassador, writes:

As a Shelter supporter, I was devastated to discover that there are more than 2,000 homeless families in Brent.

As a father and someone who’s passionate about the impact that a safe, stable and decent home can have, it’s upsetting to hear that so many children are living in temporary accommodation.

Unable to keep up with high housing costs and a shrinking supply of affordable homes, people’s lives are being turned upside down. In Brent, homeless families face living in cramped hostels and emergency B&B’s, with no idea how long they’ll be there for.

No one should be left without a place to call home. That’s why I’m supporting the 10th anniversary of Vertical Rush – Shelter’s tower-running challenge at London’s iconic Tower 42, on March 15, 2018.

The charity aims to raise an incredible £300,000 to help anyone facing homelessness. Despite Shelter’s hard work for over 50 years, London continues to face a housing crisis, with a family made homeless every 39 minutes in the capital.

But your readers could make a difference in just 10 minutes. I made it up the staggering 932 steps of Tower 42 in just nine and half minutes. So as Vertical Rush turns 10, I’m challenging the people of Brent to complete the tower run and beat my time.

Sign-up at shelter.org.uk/verticalrush to take on the Tower. With your support, Shelter can be there for even more families fighting homelessness.

Fundraise to mark World Cancer Day

Charlie Straker, CLIC Sargent Fundraising and Engagement Manager for North London, writes:

Readers may not be aware but World Cancer Day is fast approaching on the February 4, which is a great time to raise funds and vital awareness in the fight for young lives against cancer.

CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, are calling on locals to ‘band together’ behind families affected by cancer by donating just £2 to get your own their special Band Against Cancer wristband (available in three different collectable colours).

Cancer can leave a lot of friends, family, colleagues, not knowing what to say, or do, and feeling helpless.

Donating and getting your band is a simple way to show your support for CLIC Sargent and anyone you know who might be going through a really tough time.

Our recent Hidden Costs research showed that 79 per cent of young people felt cancer had a serious impact on their emotional wellbeing, 70 per cent experienced depression during their cancer treatment and 83pc of young people experienced loneliness during their cancer treatment.

Visit clicsargent.org.uk/WorldCancerDay to find out more.