SIR – When I read about certain councillors referring to chuggers as parasites, I felt angry and hurt on their behalf (Worcester News, June 21).

These are young working people earning a wage by helping to raise money for good causes.

Many of our most prestigious charitable organisations, such as the Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children find that their best results come from using an agency employing properly paid fund-raisers to encourage people to support them on a regular basis.

These employees receive extensive training in approaching people politely and accepting an equally polite “no, thank you”

without further hassle.

I can understand why people do not wish to give their details to a strangerand perhaps an alternative method is now overdue as we are all more wary these days, but to refer to charity employees as “parasites” is unforgiveable.

The catalogue ladies of earlier days were far more intrusive and not at all altruistic.

Personally, I enjoy exchanging a cheery smile with people in the high street.

JENNY COLBORNE
Worcester