WHY is it necessary to have a charity to look after soldiers wounded while on active duty (Saving the soldiers we neglect, News and A land fit for heroes , Editorial, last week)?

It is nothing short of scandalous that these brave men, fighting in our name, are abandoned and a charity is required to pick up the pieces.

This is something that should be paid for out of taxation: if we can pay for the war with our taxes, we can surely pay to look after the victims of the conflict.

I note that the Help for Heroes first goal is to raise money for a gym and swimming pool. This week the prime minister visited Iraq with the aim of upstaging the Tory party conference. I am sure that the real cost of this political stunt would probably have paid for an Olympic-size pool.

John Locke
La Chaize-le-Vicomte, France

BALLOT WOUND: First-rate piece, Ed Caesar. This country needs to wake up to the tremendous debt we owe to these excellent young men and women. If we disapprove of the wars they are sent to, the solution lies in the ballot box, not in cold shouldering the armed forces who are obliged to carry out the policies of the government, no matter how mendacious it might be.

With a government that neglects its responsibilities, with a part-time defence secretary presiding over a dysfunctional aftercare of the bereaved and the maimed alike, it should be marked down for certain electoral punishment. If it is not it is surely an indictment of the electorate instead.

Robin Cane
Crawley, West Sussex

DUTY OF CARE: Our son, a lieutenant with the Royal Irish Regiment, was badly injured in Afghanistan and Headley Court did a fantastic job helping him to recover. It is a shame troops are not better treated: the compensation is pathetic in comparison with monies received in accidents at work.

When I was the head of welfare for the prison service, I dealt with cases involving ex-servicemen suffering from post traumatic stress disorder where the charity Combat Stress could not help because of a shortage of funds and high demand – it is an excellent charity but needs more money to meet the growing demand.

We expect a lot from our troops and should ensure they are well looked after throughout their service and, where necessary, once discharged.

John Berry
Countesthorpe, Leicestershire

BAND OF BROTHERS: My son Ben Parkinson is at Headley Court, and it is as if he has come home. To see how these lads support and care for each other is truly humbling. As a family we wish every success to Help for Heroes.

Diane Dernie
Doncaster

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