I AM writing to you on behalf of the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) in the hope that you and your readers can help raise funds for blind and partially sighted people throughout the UK, by printing our appeal for used and new postage stamps.

RNIB is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight problems. Our pioneering work helps anyone with a sight problem - not just with Braille, talking books and computer training, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

We fight for equal rights for people with sight problems. We fund pioneering research into preventing and treating eye disease. Our projects such as Talk and Support and Parents' Place make a difference to peoples lives. We need your support to fund our vital work. As a charity we rely on your generosity.

Money raised by collecting stamps helps support RNIB Sunshine House School, Northwood. This is a non-maintained special school for children who are blind or partially sighted with multiple disabilities. RNIB Sunshine House School is firmly committed to our belief that all children have the right to learn. It provides a service of high quality specialist education and care through daily and residential provision, enabling our children to achieve their potential.

We cannot reach our target of £3,500 unless we get more supporters from the UK and overseas. We raise approximately £1.50 a kilo for UK stamps and approximately £10 a kilo for foreign stamps. A kilo (2.2lbs in English!) is about half a carrier bag full.

Stamps without correspondence can be sent to: RNIB, PO Box 6198, Leighton Buzzard, England, LU7 9XT. Requests for posters, donations, and other correspondence, must be sent to: Mrs Terri Bush, 20 Bowers Road, Benfleet, Essex, England. SS7 5PZ. We aim to reply to all relevant letters within ten working days. Unfortunately, due to high workloads this is not always possible. We will however always try our best to do so.

For every £1 we raise, RNIB spends 84p directly helping blind and partially signed people, 14p on raising more vital funds and 2p on administration.

Everyday 100 people start to lose their sight. Your support helps rebuild lives devastated by sight loss.

Terri Bush (Mrs)

Volunteer events co-ordinator, RNIB