SUSAN Whiteside, a prospective new member, lit the Candle of Friendship for Blackfriers Club, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Members were reminded of future events including a coffee morning to raise funds for overseas, Christmas dinner with Rotarian husbands and friends and a piano recital on Inner Wheel Day.

Overseas chairman Georgina Hunt reported the aqua box had now been despatched to the Christian African Relief Trust for help in either Ghana or the Cameroon.

She made an urgent appeal for coloured wool for the knitters of vests for children overseas.

Pat Pritchard is collecting non-perishable foods which she takes in the Heartbeat minibus to a mission in south London at Christmas. She also supports local charities in the same way. Members volunteered to help by donating tins etc and helping in this most worthwhile project.

The speaker was Allison David, who explained the workings of the Life Education Centre.

This is a charity which was started in Australia and was brought to the UK in 1986 at the instigation of Prince Charles and is supported by Rotary International GB&I.

The centre provides inspirational drug prevention programmes for children aged three-15 and HIV/Aids education from nine years old.

Liz Ostroum presented Ms David her with a cheque to help with funding.