I WOULD like to thank all the people in Bury who have written to me with their good wishes for myself, and my family, on our move to a new life on the Isle of Wight.

I am touched and flattered by the comments made, and can only say that working in Bury - and at Hurdles - has been a very special experience for me, and one which I will never forget. I love and miss the families very much.

The work I had the honour to be involved with at Hurdles was made easier by the assistance I received from those already working in the voluntary sector in Bury. The borough is fortunate in having such a strong and dedicated community work force, both paid and unpaid.

I would also like to thank the councillors, officers and staff of the council and the health authority who have supported my work at Hurdles. They helped Hurdles to eventually achieve the move to the Herbert Coates Centre on Morley Street, and more recently to gain some financial help to support the charity over the next three years, a time crucial to its growth.

On a personal note I must say that the Isle of Wight is absolutely beautiful, a lovely place to live. As soon as we have bought an hotel, I will be in touch, via the Bury Times, to let everyone know where we ended up!

I have been warned that our hotel has to be fully accessible, safe and welcoming for children with disabilities - and big enough to take bus loads of people from Bury.

LIZ SANDERSON,

ex-co-ordinator, Hurdles charity.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.