'Don’t allow parents to drive in bus lanes during school runs'

If parents have to do the school run then they should prepare earlier. For instance, they should prepare what needs to go with their child/children and put these items in the car ahead of the journey (the night before), go to bed earlier, then rise earlier to ensure the school run does not create self-induced stress or delays.

After all, they are no different to many other people who have busy lives throughout the whole day, not just for a minimal period, morning and afternoon.

If parents cannot organise themselves and their children, knowing full-well they have daily responsibilities regarding school runs, then why should they have special privileges as a result of their own failings?

If sleep-deprived children suffer then that is down to the parent or perhaps it is due to overuse of game machines etc instead of sleeping.

Shaun Kavanagh

Address supplied

Lottery players have helped us

On behalf of vet charity PDSA, I would like to say a huge thank you to all local players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

We have received fantastic support from players over the past 12 months, which coincided with our 100th birthday celebrations. It was on November 17, 1917 that the charity’s founder, Maria Dickin, first set up a dispensary for sick animals in London’s East End.

PDSA now operates 48 Pet Hospitals across the UK, supported by a national chain of around 120 charity shops, and a dedicated army of volunteers.

Over the past 12 months, support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has helped us deliver projects that prevent illness and disease, and educate pet owners and children on how to care for animals.

In 2018, we:

Educated over 64,000 school children through our PetWise Schools programme, which promotes animal welfare;

Launched our new £250,000 PetWise Mobile Unit;

Carried out over 5,000 free PetWise MOTs on pets through our PetWise Tour;

Microchipped 436 pets and clipped the nails of over 850 pets on board our three PetWise vehicles;

Equipped 838 pet owners and visitors with general pet health advice through our PetWise Tour.

In 2019, thanks to continued player support, we will be building on the legacy of these projects.

In 2018 alone, £116m was raised for good causes across Great Britain by players of People’s Postcode Lottery – an incredible achievement. On behalf of us here at PDSA, and all the pets we help, a huge thank you.

Rebecca Ashman

PDSA Veterinary Campaigns Manager

Funding for rural projects

The Prince’s Countryside Fund is open for grant applications from now until February 21, 2019.

The fund gives out grants twice a year, and projects in rural areas across the UK can apply for funding of up to £50,000 in the spring round of funding.

Set up in 2010 by HRH The Prince of Wales, the charity aims to improve the prospects of viability for rural communities and farm businesses. Every year, the fund gives out over £1m in funding, and can support projects for up to three years.

The fund aims to support projects that achieve the following:

Sustaining rural communities;

Improving the prospects of viability for farm and rural businesses;

Supporting aid delivery in emergency and building resilience.

Our grants help to support a diverse range of projects, often delivered by local organisations, such as training vouchers for young farmers and development schemes for rural businesses.

We give out more than £1m in funding each year and are very keen to hear from projects of all types in our rural areas. To find out more, visit www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/grants

Claire Saunders

Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund