We want to make a difference

The Faithful City's Round Table raises about £10,000 every year from the public through social events and fund-raising work.

The club, which aims to have a good time while putting something back into the community, now wants to recycle that money to worthy causes in the Worcester area.

In association with the Evening News, Worcester Round Table is hoping to 'make a difference' in the community.

Each month, up to £1,000 will be set aside for worthy causes.

Local clubs, organisations, groups and charities are being asked to nominate club, organisations or charities where a cash donation would 'make a difference'.

It could be new equipment for a junior cricket team, new tents for a Scout group or costumes for a theatre group. Or it could be new tables for a social club or painting materials for a community centre.

"Round Table is all about fun, friendship and fund-raising'," said Nick Close, chairman of Worcester Round Table.

"We raise money but we have a good time doing it. The annual fireworks display and bonfire, in November, is a really big social event in the city, for example.

"The Round Tablers give their time for free, so, after we have paid for the fireworks, all the gate money goes back into the community."

Each year, about £10,000 is raised from Worcester Round Tables' three major annual fundraising events, including the bonfire and firework display, the sale of hot chestnuts at the Victorian Christmas Fayre and a charity golf day.

Organisations in the Faithful City that have recently received cash donations from Worcester Round Table include St Richard's Hospice, the Noah's Ark bereavement service for children and Rose Hill Day School.

The group, which has been operating in Worcester for more than 50 years, has also recently given cash to a local hospital, a junior cricket team, and a dyslexia support group.

"We have the money and we want to make a difference in the local community with it," said Mr Close.

"We are ready and waiting with the cheque book!"

Your chance to apply for support

WORCESTER Round Table has up to £1,000 to give away every month throughout 2003.

The Making a Difference campaign has been launched in association with the Evening News to give the money to worthy causes.

In this way, it is hoped to really make a difference to the local community.

n Clubs, groups and organisations are invited to write in saying why they need the money, how much they need exactly, and what, specifically, the money would be spent on.

n Applications should be between 200 and 500 words and preferably typed.

A panel of judges will assess each month's applications and divide up the £1,000 between deserving organisations.

It may be that one organisation gets the entire £1,000 for the month, or it may be split between 10 different groups and clubs.

The Evening News will regularly report on what the money has been used for.

Send the application to: Sarah Taylor, Promotions Department, Evening News, Berrow's House, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.

Applications for March's £1,000 must be received no later than 5pm on Monday, March 31.

Community ensures the funds keep rolling in

WORCESTER Round Table has raised more than £10,000 through its main fund-raising events in the past year.

The most well-known of these is the annual Bonfire and Fireworks display, on Worcester Racecourse, in November.

Thousands of people flock to Pitchcroft every year to watch the impressive fireworks display and see the huge bonfire go up in flames.

All the gate money goes back into the community, after the cost of the fireworks has been deducted.

Last year, heavy rain and the threat of a fire strike unfortunately meant the night was poorly attended and no profit was made.

The year before however, in 2001, about 9,000 people poured through the gates.

"In 2001 we had a superb turn-out," said Nick Close, chairman of Worcester Round Table.

"We grossed over £20,000 and turned in a profit of about £13,000."

Successful

The other hugely successful fund-raiser for Worcester Round Table is the sale of hot roasted chestnuts at the annual Victorian Christmas Fayre, in December.

Volunteers dress up in Victorian costume and sell the chestnuts from a barrow at the entrance to the fayre, in Worcester's Mealcheapen Street.

Last year, more than £3,000 was made during the four-day crafts and gifts fayre.

"Last year we sold 675kg of chestnuts, in 3,500 individual portions," said Mr Close.

"It has become a very successful money-earner for us."

The other major fundraising event is the annual charity golf day, held in September.

Last year, about 60 players competed at Cleobury Mortimer Golf and Country Club for trophies including Best Score, Winning Team, Longest Drive and Nearest-the-Pin.

The day, which included a raffle, raised almost £2,000.

For more information about Worcester Round Table go to: www.worcester-rt.org

Brecon Beacons trip for Emily

EMILY Bennett is a young lady who has benefited from the fund-raising efforts of Worcester Round Table.

Emily, aged 12, from Barbourne, Worcester, is visually impaired, with no sight in her right eye and limited vision in her left eye.

She attends the city's Bishop Perowne High School, where she receives lots of support, but she still needs to put in more effort and work extra hard to achieve what other children take for granted.

Worcester Round Table heard about Emily through an on-going relationship with County Specialist Support Services, part of Worcestershire County Council's education department.

In June 2002, it contributed money towards a residential weekend in the Brecon Beacons for Emily.

"A big crowd of visually impaired kids go and they have a great time," said Emily's mother, Maxine.

"These kids don't get away from their parents very much so it's a good chance for them to be independent but at the same time they're quite safe."

Worcester Round Table has made many financial contributions to worthwhile causes in the city recently.

These include a mini bus for St Richard's Hospice, equipment for Rose Hill Day School, a weekend away for bereaved children and a support programme for a child with dyslexia.