"For everybody who contributes to Behind the Scenes, thank you. You helped save my life."
"I can't thank you all enough. Light Relief does life changing work, and my life has been changed by what you do."
Without the help of either Light Relief in the UK or Behind the Scenes in the US and Canada, these people - and many more - would have been in real financial difficulties as a result of illness or injury.
A major fundraiser for both charities is By Design Day, being held this year on Thursday 24 April. You can make a personal donation, hold a collection at work or - if you are a designer - you can support the day by giving a day's royalties to one or both of these charities.
To date Light Relief has awarded more than £60,000 in grants to help lighting professionals and their families, while Behind the Scenes has issued almost $450,000 in grants to professionals working in all disciplines. And calls for our assistance are increasing on a daily basis. Without your support, our work would not be possible.
Both organisations are registered charities, so contributions to Light Relief can be easily gift aided by UK taxpayers, making them worth even more. Donors who have been lucky enough to slip into the top tax bracket are also eligible for tax relief. Contributions to Behind the Scenes are tax deductible in the US. The exact amounts of all personal contributions will be kept confidential.
So please - put Thursday 24 April 2013 in your diary and help us to help others.
(Jim Evans)
