I WOULD like to draw your attention to the plight of the many ex-servicemen and women from the Commonwealth - particularly those in Africa and the Indian sub-continent - who fought alongside us in the last war and are now suffering severe hardship.

More than five million from the Commonwealth volunteered to fight for a country and a monarch they had never seen. They surrendered their youth to help us fight for freedom, and now they need our help as age and infirmity take their toll and they are unable to fend for themselves in countries where there is no help from their own (or our) governments.

The British Commonwealth Ex-Services League (BCEL) is helping 28,000 of these veterans with the basic necessities of life - food, shelter and medicine - and the number in need is likely to rise in the next few years.

Hence the need for a major appeal - The Jubilee Appeal for Commonwealth Veterans - launched to raise £5 million and which has been selected as one of six charities (and the only commonwealth one) to benefit from The Queen's Golden Jubilee.

If readers would like to help alleviate the distress of these old soldiers, who helped us in our time of need, donations should be sent to The Jubilee Appeal for Commonwealth Veterans, 20 Mortlake, High Street, London SW14 8JN or through www.commonwealthveterans.org.uk.

Colonel J R P Cumberlege,

Council member BCEL,

Stillington, York.

Updated: 10:46 Tuesday, May 21, 2002