Thank you to all those organisations and their volunteers who help make all these events happen. We are, indeed, fortunate.
FIONA DONNE, Aramoho
Valuing teachers
Quality education is one of the cornerstones of a successful society, and everyone wants an education system that enables every student to reach their full potential.
To maintain an effective system, you need to attract quality people to the teaching profession.
Currently, teachers are undervalued - salaries do not reflect our contribution to society, nor the fact we are professionals.
Often we lack time and resources to best support children's learning and, as a result, it has become difficult to attract people to the teaching profession.
Shortly, teachers begin negotiations with the government which we want to recognise the value of teachers. The government can do this in a number of ways, including higher wages.
I ask all who have an interest in education to support us by making your voice heard.
HALIM SHERIDAN, Whanganui
Marijuana danger
Before anybody takes G R Scown (Letters; February 27) seriously with his approach to leisure cannabis, here is what the US National Institute of Drug Abuse says (https:www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana):
■impaired body movement;
■difficulty with thinking and problem solving;
■impaired memory and learning;
■altered senses;
■change in mood;
■hallucination and paranoia;
■possible harm to the unborn baby.
THC, the main problem, is increasing in modern plants as farmers improve the plant.
For medical use - we are always ready to help the sick, but never confusing the two (science with leisure) as we did with tobacco.
F R HALPIN, Gonville
Foetal growth
Jay Kuten sounds like a disgruntled feminist. Don't dare suggest foetal development is beyond a male's expertise.
Anyone who has gone through a pregnancy (yes, males father children and many are with the mothers throughout), or who has seen a scan or has half a brain can understand baby development with today's scientific techniques.
Jacinda Ardern's baby is of incredible value and Mr Orr was simply saying that. Perhaps you believe a baby is only human when wanted? Let me tell you, there is no baby who is unwanted, only people who deem then unwanted.
We all have a duty to speak up for the vulnerable and issues regarding their safety.
MELINDA BOLTON, Castlecliff
Thanks so much
On behalf of the board, staff and all who use the services of Alzheimers Whanganui, I would like to thank the wonderful volunteers who assisted with our street appeal.
Thanks also to the businesses who supported us by hosting a collector outside their premises.
To those who made a donation, thank you also for your generosity. We would be unable to provide the services we do without you.
Alzheimers Whanganui relies on the support of our communities to provide the best service we can to people living with dementia and/or those who are socially isolated and their families.
We are working to make our communities "Dementia Friendly" and one of the biggest challenges is to get the public talking about dementia. Hopefully our presence in the community will spark the conversation.
WENDY PATERSON, Manager, Alzheimers Whanganui
Your care valued
My heartfelt thanks to those people who came to my assistance at the recycling depot when I collapsed on the apron.
Those who came to my daughter's assistance, called for the ambulance, to the staff at the depot, who parked the car safely, to the fire officers who drove the ambulance while the staff worked with my problems.
To all at the hospital who organised for me to be flown to Wellington Hospital, enabling this successful outcome.
My deepest thanks to you all.
MICHAEL COLEMAN, Aramoho
