function checkrequired(f) {
	// trim and check
	var bValid = true;
	$('input:text', f).each(function() {
		var i = $(this);
		i.val($.trim(i.val()));
		if (i.hasClass('required')) {
			if (i.val() == '') {
				var lbl = $('LABEL[for=\'' + this.id + '\']', f).html().replace(':', '');
				alert(lbl + ' is a required field.');
				this.focus();
				bValid = false;
				return false;
			}
		}
	});
	
	if (!bValid) { return false; }

	return true;
}