I VISITED the Basingstoke Advocacy Service last week for an update on its activities. As some readers will know, it provides advice and assistance, whatever the problem or difficulty, however great or small.

I have the highest regard for the Advocacy Service and I am concerned that, like so many other voluntary organisations, it is facing quite serious funding problems. I am doing what I can to help.

Many people rely greatly on the service. It would be tragic if budgetary considerations limited its activities. For details, call 01256 328080.

FOSTER Care Fortnight, which ended last week, is an annual awareness and recruitment campaign that highlights the need for more foster carers and, once again, the campaign has my full support.

Currently there is an estimated shortage of 8,000 foster carers in the UK.

In England, more than one-in-four children in foster care have to live outside their local authority's borders.

One in seven are compelled to live in three or more homes during the course of a year.

It is vital to raise the profile of fostering and encourage more people to think about becoming foster carers.