'This may seem strange' - letters in full

Back in 1973, a young boy wrote to Blue Peter to ask for some assistance - he believed he knew "how to make people or animals alive" and wanted help to gather the necessary equipment.

Thirty-five years later Anthony Hollander became part of a team who performed a groundbreaking operation which saved a woman's life.

Below is the full text of the letters, in Anthony's case they are reproduced complete with all spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

ANTHONY, AGE 9, TO BLUE PETER

Dear Val, John, Peter and Lesslie

This may seem very strange, but I think I no how to make people or animals alive. Why Im teling you is because I cant get the things I need.

A list of what I need.

Anthony Hollander's original letter Enlarge Image

1. Diagram of how evreything works (inside youre body)

2. Model of a heart split in half, (both halvs)

3. The sort of sering [syringe] they yous for cleaning ears (Tsering must be very very clean)

4. Tools for cutting people open

5. Tools for stiches

6. Fiberglass box, 8 foot tall, 3 foot width.

7. Picture of a man showing all the arteries.

Sorry but in number 6 in the list the box needs lid. If you do get them on 1st March I can pay £10, £11, £12, £13 or £14. Send your answer to me,

Love from Anthony, London, NW11

BLUE PETER TO ANTHONY

Dear Anthony

Thank you very much for your letter. It was nice to hear from you again after such a long time [reference to an earlier separate letter] and we are sorry we have been delayed replying.

Biddy Baxter - Blue Peter's first editor - ensured all letters received a reply

We are receiving over 4,000 letters every week and are having difficulty answering them as quickly as we would like.

We were interested to hear that you think you know how to make living people - and your list of necessary items intrigued us!

We are sorry we can't help you at all, but we wondered if you had thought of talking to your family doctor - he might be glad to help you with some diagrams and other information.

We are sending you a photograph of the "Blue Peter" team - it has been signed specially for you.

With best wishes from Valerie, John, Peter, Lesley and all of us on the programme.

Yours sincerely

B

(Biddy Baxter), Editor, "Blue Peter"