funds to make their lives a little easier.

Now the Bermuda War Veterans Association has sent out an appeal for help.

"As people get older, so they require more assistance,'' said association president Frank Farmer.

The association's trustees relief fund expects expenses this year to shoot up to about $66,000. It is urging people to dip further into their pockets to help out.

"We are doing this as part of our Poppy Appeal,'' said Mr. Farmer.

Association trustee Martin Smith explained: "Normally we send out letters of appeal prior to Armistice Day celebrations on November 11 each year.

Unfortunately, this past year this was not possible.'' Mr. Smith and trustees Llewellyn Petty and Francis Stephens have made their appeal in a letter to The Royal Gazette .

They pointed out how war veterans' needs increased as they got older. For example, there was a greater demand now for prescription drugs and visits overseas for medical treatment.

Mr. Farmer told The Royal Gazette : "Expenses go up as well because of funeral costs. We also help provide for widows.'' The trustees said expenses for the year ending August 31, 1996, came to $58,000 while revenues were just under $55,000.

This forced the association to dip into its reserves.

"For the Poppy Appeal of 1996 we experienced a slight increase in donations through the purchase of poppies from just over $12,600 to just over $13,000,'' the letter said. "We expect our expenses for the year ending August 31, 1997 to increase to some $66,000.'' There are 114 veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War still in Bermuda.

Cheques should be made available to The Bermuda War Veterans Association, 10 Dundonald Street, Hamilton HM 09.

FUND RAISER FNR