SIR — For many people, living with dementia is not a familiar problem. It is often said "It won't happen to me".

Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone from any walk of life, and when it does it is very difficult to understand, both for the sufferer and even more so for those nearest and dearest who see their loved one in this situation.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia. It comes in many forms and is evidently due to one cell in the brain that stops working - like a battery when it runs down.

All that can be done for these unfortunate people is to provide 24-hour care, love and protection.

Fortunately, here in Williton, we have Croft House, which has two units especially for dementia sufferers.

As there is no cure, the patients rely on the tender loving care of the staff, who are the best it is possible to get. The carers go well beyond the call of duty to offer love and understanding to these unfortunate people.

Additionally at Croft House, there is a team of ladies in yellow coats who look after activities - anything from singsongs to card-making to try to keep the patients occupied.

Because people with dementia need to be kept in secure surroundings for their own safety, it is only rarely that they see the outside world.

Croft House is run by Somerset Care, a non-profit organisation that has provided the wonderful new home and has pledged half the funds to create a proposed 'dementia garden'.

The garden will be an enclosed area where the residents can feel, smell and touch the plants and flowers familiar to those of us in the outside world. It is also planned to have a greenhouse where they can be helped to sow seeds and see them grow on.

We are appealing to Williton and adjacent districts to help us make all this possible.

We have sent out 130 appeal letters and thank all those who have responded with donations and offers of help.

However, to date we are only half way to our target of £10,000. This is a local appeal and the results will be there for all to see.

If you can help, please contact me at 49 Whitecroft, Williton, Taunton TA4 4RU. Donations should be made payable to 'Croft House Amenity Fund'.

Bert Pearson,

Chairman,

The Friends of Croft House.