Stay active

Sir,— I am writing to let your readers know that there is now strong scientific evidence that being regularly physically active reduces your risk of developing cancer later in life.
One of the easiest ways to be physically active is walking. As well as being something that most people can do without any preparation, you do not need any special equipment to do it.
This is why we at World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) have launched our Walking Together campaign, which involves people supporting us by organising sponsored walks for family and friends.
The money raised will help us continue funding cancer prevention research and raising awareness that people can reduce their risk of cancer by eating healthily, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
But we also hope it will encourage people to get into the habit of walking, both as a hobby and also as part of their daily lives.
To find out more information about the Walking Together campaign, email events@wcrf.org or call 020 7343 4205. You can also visit our website at www.wcrf-uk.org/walk to find out more information, register your event and download lots of free resources.—Yours etc.,
SIAN FRASER
Events Fundraiser,
World Cancer Research Fund

Tour thanks

Sir,— I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank all the hundreds of people who came on tours of Kinneil House in Bo'ness on Sunday (August 29).
Local people took a peek inside as part of the Kinneil Heritage Day celebrations. We had lots of positive comments in our visitors' book – and we hope local people can join us again when we re-open for free tours on Hallowe'en, Sunday, October 31.
Of course, these free tours wouldn't happen without the support of volunteers from The Friends of Kinneil, who not only guided people inside the House but also raised money on one of the charity stalls. I'd like to thank our volunteers for all their hard work.
We also appreciate the support of the public – who sometimes had to wait a few minutes to get inside the House on Sunday. We did tours every 15 minutes or so to try to manage the large amounts of people wanting to get inside. People's patience was very much appreciated – and we hope the wait was worth it to see the fantastic wall paintings inside the House.
Please remember that the wider Kinneil Estate and Museum is open throughout the year, not just on Heritage Day, so come back to Kinneil again this autumn and winter.
To find out more, visit www.kinneil.org.uk  —Yours etc.,
BRUCE HENDERSON
Chairman,
The Friends of Kinneil,
Baker Street,
Bo'ness.

Protesting

Sir,— I can understand the concern which William Ross expresses (letters, August 27) about the energy policies of RBS but I am equally concerned at his apparent support for breaking windows and daubing paint on their buildings to try to persuade them to change their behaviour.
If one broken window does not make them change their policies, would he endorse two broken windows or 2,000 or every window in every branch of their group? And if it is acceptable to take such aggressive action in pursuit of preventing climate change, is it equally acceptable to take it against other companies or political parties or followers of particular religions whose activities may well be regarded by some people as socially damaging or morally wrong?
Nobody would claim that our parliamentary democracy is a perfect way of reaching decisions on difficult issues but, as Churchill famously said, it is the worst alternative with the exception of all the others. Gandhi was an extraordinarily successful campaigner but he always advocated peaceful means of protest.—Yours etc.,
NICHOLAS LEONARD
Springfield Grange,
Linlithgow

Go to China!

Sir,— William Ross seems to endorse the antics of the climate change protestors in Edinburgh who targeted the Royal Bank of Scotland and Cairn Energy (letters 27 August).
They disrupted RBS operations because "RBS is financing destructive investments into fossil fuels".
They spread an "oil slick" of molasses outside Cairn Energy's offices in Lothian Road.
India and China are spewing out more and more CO2 so that if Scotland shut down all its airports and put all transport into mothballs then saving our share of world CO2 emissions of 0.2 per cent would not make a blind bit of difference.
China is opening two or three coal-fired power stations every week to fuel their surging economy with the relevant increase in CO2. This is where they should protest.
I have an idea. I suggest we put all the protestors and their friends on a slow boat to China where I am sure they will find a friendly Chinese Police liaison officer who will discuss the pros and cons of environmental matters with them. —Yours etc.,
CLARK CROSS
Springfield Road,
Linlithgow

More abuses

Sir,— Anticipating some criticism of my letter published last week, on the subject of The Royal Bank of Scotland's use of our money in companies who extract oil, gas and coal with little regard for the effects on the environment or human beings, I would like to draw readers' attention to further such abuses on the planet, including destroying rock for coal extraction which transforms landscape, and also damages hundreds of acres of hardwood supplies nearby.
Oil production can also lead to vast toxic lakes, new pipelines blight the landscape.
I am accused of condoning violence when all I was doing was contrasting the actions of a few protesters against the actions of some big companies.
I hope that my critics read as far as the last sentence of my last letter: "What if we were all to reduce our own energy consumption".  RBS is only fuelling the energy companies who are in turn working to meet our demand.
The second last sentence in last week's letter said: "What if similar sums had gone into alternative sources of energy". If this had been done we might not be faced with a double-dip recession but be up with those nations which are surging ahead.—Yours etc.,
WILLIAM ROSS
Friars Brae,
Linlithgow

Care initiative

Sir,— Do you know someone who is disabled, works as a carer and has been employed in the banking industry and could benefit from advice or support?
The charity Leonard Cheshire Disability has launched an initiative called Investing in Brighter Futures (IBF) for disabled people, carers and their families who have worked in the banking industry.
IBF is a partnership between Leonard Cheshire Disability, the Bankers Benevolent Fund (BBF). The initiative is an independent and comprehensive information service offering confidential support to people working in the banking community, or those who have previously worked in the industry for five years or more.
Advice is given in a wide number of areas like; employment, benefits, enterprise, finances, independent living, BBF grant funding, law, statutory funding for example Disabled Facility Grants, health and wellbeing, housing, transport, mentoring, support groups, holiday, leisure and sport. To find out more visit; www. yoodo.org/ibf —Yours etc.,
ANNET LUKKIEN
Investing in Brighter Futures
Leonard Cheshire Disability
66 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1RL

Charity trek

Sir, — Children Today are looking for adventurous volunteers to trek to the summit of the World’s tallest free-standing mountain, and if you raise enough in sponsorship you will get to take part for free!
Be prepared to immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the jungle, spectacular wildlife, breathtaking glaciers and experience something others will only ever dream of.
People who take part in this event will be challenging themselves both physically and mentally every step of the way, and they will gain some empathy with the disabled children we help who are challenged every day of their lives.
Participants will also be taking the challenge to raise funds for a very worthy cause.  At Children Today we believe that the provision of specialised equipment for children and young people with disabilities has a direct and immediate impact on their quality of life and independence and is vital in helping them to overcome obstacles to live a life of greater independence.
For those of you with a sense of adventure and the desire to do something challenging for a great cause simply call me at the office on 01244 335 622 or email ceri@childrentoday.org.uk and we will send you a full information pack. —Yours etc.,
CERI WARD
Children Today