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LORD HOWE OF ABERAVON BECOMES PATRON OF COAT!

“It is sixteen years since I ceased to be MP for Caterham (and the rest of “East Surrey”), So, no surprise that I was surprised to be reminded by Phil Saville of the existence of COAT, flattered by Margaret Deards' invitation to become your Patron – and impressed by the scale and diversity of COAT’s achievements.  

I was struck, of course, by your success in raising more than £1/4 million and, above all, in ensuring that it has gone to support positive projects : real achievements by real communities, which you have come to know, respect and love. Happily for me, many have been in those parts of Africa – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika (as it then was), where I spent almost two years, over sixty years ago, as second in command of an East African signals unit. And in many other countries too, not all of which I managed to visit during six years as Foreign Secretary. Your investment has generally (and wisely) been devoted to self-help projects, often being guided towards self-reliance by NGO’s.  

Caterham was always one of the most successful towns in my constituency in raising money for important good causes. Your work more than maintains that tradition – and I shall be delighted if I am able to help your cause”.