'We're staying open'

Centre organiser Grace Cameron says the centralisation plans of Red Cross Sussex, which will see small branches merged into fewer big branches around the county, will not force the Hailsham centre out of town for at least two years if at all.

'For them, it's all a matter of economics,' she said. 'But Red Cross will not gain anything by shutting us down because we don't cost them anything in the first place.

'We are allowed to use the building free of charge because we provide a very valuable service to people in the area. We even go as far as Chiddingly and Herstmonceux.'

The Hailsham centre is based at the doctors' surgery in Vicarage Field. People can borrow wheelchairs, commodes, zimmer frames and other medical equipment free of charge from the centre they only pay a returnable deposit.

'It will be a disaster for a lot of people in Hailsham if they close the centre,' said Grace. 'Many people use the service, many of whom wouldn't be able to use a similar service if it was based further afield.

'We will carry on as we have been until they choose to close us down which they may not, if they realise what an extremely important service we provide!'

Letter: Page 6