I am writing this letter in reply to The Weekend Sun newspaper (July 17). Let me assure you I am not the sort of person who believes that people in the Shorts position should not be helped, normally I would want them to receive all help possible, but after reading this article I am astounded that I am supposed to feel sympathy for them.

Let me explain; Firstly, they are expecting a second child which is in their words 'unplanned” (surely they would have been wiser to have practiced contraception) as this is totally irresponsible and can only add further woes, especially to their innocent child Alysha, who will live in an even more dire situation than she does already.

Secondly, the article stated they are paying a total of $200 per week but I would be very surprised if this isn't less than they were paying for their Greerton rental so theoretically they should be slightly better off money-wise, and therefore able to eat better quality food more often and not have to exist on beans and noodles etc.

A basic heater is not expensive and it would not take a very large one to heat a 15ft caravan properly. Perhaps if Dave tried to give up his ‘rollies' this might help to have a bit more money but more importantly to improve Alysha's health which must be of major concern.

They state they have applied for numerous private rentals with no luck and assume they have been turned down due to their money situation, but I ask if they tried to obtain a letter of recommendation from their previous landlord and if not why not or is there more to this than they are saying?

I fully expect to receive some nasty replies to this letter but I am annoyed with this couple who I believe are creating a total ‘sob story' that does not even begin to tell the full story nor even come close to it!

Believe me I have nothing but sympathy for the little girl and her soon to be sibling but these parents need to take responsibility for themselves and their family.

T Gray, Tauranga