ONLY £335 arrived here yesterday which rounds off quite a disappointing week for our appeal. 

I was glad to receive £50 from Virginia, US, from an Amalgamated Transit Union delegate who had been in London for the International Transport Workers Federation Conference held at the Unite office in Esher and was able to get the paper every day. 

Such international links are essential if the trade union movement is to defeat privatisation as the US multinationals are circling our public services with a vengeance these days. 

Comrades from Leicester attending the People’s Assembly march collected £70 on the coach which is appreciated. The donations continue to come in from Unison regions at their recent conference and I thank the North West for £60, Retired Members for £45.15 and part of the South West for £14.90. 

Also I have £50 from the Fife branch of this great union responding again to the request to support the paper issued in Scotland. Our good friend in Winchmore Hill has sent in another £20 and standing orders and online have sent in £10 each.

You all are the most generous people I know but I have to ask that we all get a bit of a move on in supporting this appeal otherwise there is a danger that we are left high and dry come September. Let’s drive up our daily totals so that I can get back to more puns in this column. Have a great weekend.