ON behalf of Malton and Norton Golf Club, I wish to express disappointment in the article published in your newspaper (January 10).

The club has every sympathy with Mr and Mrs Scarlett-Abbott's loss of their son Joshua, and has tried to appreciate the unimaginable distress associated with such a personal tragedy.

However, Mr Scarlett-Abbott is being unfair in his reaction to the club's decision to offer the club's facilities to him for fundraising on a similar basis to all our other members where we feel able to help their activities.

As a relatively new member of the club, perhaps Mr Scarlett-Abbott is unaware of the countless hours donated by our members organising and raising funds for charities. Thousands have been donated by the club to charity.

The club has a charity committee which distributes a percentage of the club's annual income to worthy causes.

I do hope in the fullness of time, Mr Scarlett-Abbott will feel able to participate in and contribute to the club's fundraising activities.

Meanwhile, we wish him every success with his most worthwhile venture, and assure him that the offer, made to him last year in writing by Malton and Norton Golf Club, remains available.

MD Blaydes,

Club captain,

Dale Cottages,

Brandsby, York.

Updated: 11:31 Tuesday, January 14, 2003