THE Rotary Club of Ilkley has recently donated £1,000 to Hope and Homes for Children, an organisation founded by Colonel Mark Brook, who until 1993 was commander of the British contingent of the United Nations forces in Croatia.

The charity constructed homes for orphaned children in areas affected by war disasters, using local labour and resources in order to support the local economies of the area.

Homes have been constructed in Croatia, Sarajevo, Albania, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, and there are currently other projects in Eastern Europe and Africa.

The cheque was presented to Peter Marshall, representing Homes and Hope for Children, at a lunch arranged by the Rotary Club of Ilkley.

Two other cheques have also been recently presented to local charities during lunch time meeting of the Rotary Club of Ilkley.

These were the chosen charities of president Ray Watson during his year of office - £600 to the Ilkley Youth Club and £500 to the Beamsley Project.

The Rotary Club, with the above donations, has fulfilled its objectives in giving assistance to the locally-based and international projects to the benefit of both the young and the disadvantaged.

With the change over of officers in July, the current year's activities of the club are concluding with an evening 'Cruise on the Ouse' at York for members and wives, also a barn dance at Nell Bank on July 3 for members, family and friends.

The club recently made a very successful visit to the Coutances Rotary Club in Normandy where seven couples were most generously hosted.

Events included a golf match and a splendid football dinner. Members are now looking forward to hosting the Coutances Club in Ilkley next spring.

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