Letter: And the greatest of these is charity

Sir: Is it so very discreditable to find five London residents who will give pounds 10 or pounds 20 to a woman in need at their door ('Law lord pays for being poor judge of character', 8 July)? The act of charity lies with the giver, not the worthiness of the recipient.

In a time when your columns are filled with discussions about the conflicts involved in giving 50p to street beggars, I find your report an entirely positive reflection on the individuals who were 'taken in'.

Yours sincerely,

SUSAN GESSLER

London, NW4

8 July