With Remembrance Day shortly upon us it is right that we turn our attention to remembering those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our rights and values.

There can be nothing more powerful than to give up your life so that others might enjoy freedom from tyranny and cruelty.

But not everybody who endured war and deprivation died, and many of those who suffered and braved hardships returned to build our society once again.

Many women maintained the country during its struggles, and too many found themselves widowed at such a young age. And these are the people who now rely upon our care and health services for their very existence.

So please, when rightly remembering those who died, spare a thought for the many people aged 70 years and more who are now facing abuses and cruelties at the hands of some families and care staff.

The Commons Health Select Committee earlier this year accepted that as many as 500,000 older people are being abused across the UK. Our charity's helpline (0808 808 8141) takes hundreds of calls each year from people in dire need of help.

We all have a duty to protect them, as they once protected us.

Let us never forget.

Gary FitzGerald,

Chief Executive,

Action on Elder Abuse,

1268 London Road,

London, SW16 4ER.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, October 26, 2004