Letters, contributions and comments sent in to the Advertiser this week.

Thanks for helping pets

Rebecca Ashman, PDSA senior vet, writes:

On behalf of pet wellbeing charity, PDSA, which has a busy Pet Hospital in Malmesbury Road, Bow, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all local players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

We have received fantastic support from players this year, which has helped to secure a better future for thousands of pets in the city, as well as providing emergency care and life-saving equipment.

In 2017, the funding has helped to:

• See 71,000 pets brought to us with emergency conditions requiring immediate veterinary help. This included those treated at our Bow Pet Hospital

• Purchase 34 items through a National Emergency Equipment Fund to repair or replace old clinical equipment, including a new heated theatre table and a digital x-ray processor at Bow PDSA Pet Hospital

• Host 52 pet first aid courses across the UK, which have equipped hundreds of people with potentially life-saving skills

• Promote PDSA’s online symptom checker, which has been used over 128,000 times. The free tool has helped owners with queries about their pets’ health

On behalf of us here at PDSA, and all the pets we treat, well done and thank you.

Be breast aware for 2018

Samia al Qadhi, chief executive, Breast Cancer Care, writes:

In the second week of a New Year, many of us are busy setting resolutions for ourselves to live healthy lives in 2018.

How about asking your readers to make a resolution to check their breasts regularly? It’s simple, easy to keep and could save your life.

There’s no right or wrong way to check your breasts. It’s about looking and feeling regularly, so any unusual changes can be spotted quickly.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer can save lives. It’s not just a lump – other symptoms can include a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin.

Breast Cancer Care is the only specialist breast cancer support charity working throughout the UK. If you’re worried about breast health or breast cancer you can call us free on 0808 800 6000.