Enquire about the Gift Aid Inland Revenue scheme which boosts contributions from taxpayers by up to 25 per cent.

Football tickets

FOOTBALL fans can cheer their team and support Twickenham's young people's counselling service in one shot.

Richmond Park MP Jenny Tonge has donated a pair of tickets for the Queen's Park Rangers home fixture against Port Vale on Saturday February 15th.

Kick off is at 3pm for the Nationwide League Division Two match.

The tickets are for the sponsors' lounge and include a buffet lunch and a bar. Smart dress is the code of the day.

Fans who want the tickets can ring their bids to Off The Record on 8744 1644.

Off the Record offers information, counselling and sexual health clinics to young people aged between 11 and 25 who work, live or study in Richmond upon Thames.

The service, which is free, is entirely confidential and recognises that young people given options will make informed decisions for themselves.

Wildlife thanks

RICHMOND Group members of the WWF are sending a huge thank you'' to all participants and helpers - marshals and others - in the sponsored walk.

The event last October attracted 58 sponsored pedestrians and so far the 48 who have sent in their pledged money have raised the grand sum of £4,116.

This is an amazing result and by far the best we have ever had, with more still to come'', said Helen Streinlechner, publicity officer for Richmond WWF.

For those who wish to walk again or for the first time, please make a note in your diary of Sunday October 12th. Perhaps between us we will be able to match or even beat the 2002 record'', enthused Helen.

Furniture figures

Furniture Scheme, Richmond upon Thames urgently needs a new volunteer treasurer.

S/he needs to have a good working knowledge of SAGE and be prepared to give a few hours a month.

Should you be able to help please contact Joanna Gregory on 8892 0424 or Christopher Bush at the Furniture Scheme on 8755 4665.

Homemade lunch

GOOD food, good raffle, good fun between 12.30pm and 2pm in St Winefride's Church Hall, Leyborne Park, Kew Gardens. Enjoy a simple meal of homemade soup, cheese and dessert £3, £1 children, on the first Friday of each month. February's proceeds will be donated to Kew Neighbourhood Association which helps support the disabled and housebound in Kew.

Green chairman

A chairman is sought to work for a partnership hoping to improve quality of life in the borough.

The local Agenda 21 partnership are looking for a new chairman to lead a group of people including the council, the local community and voluntary sector, BTCV, Thames Landscape Strategy, London Wetland Centre, local colleges and others.

A spokesman for Agenda 21 said: "The right person will be someone with energy and vision who enjoys a challenge, with a few hours a week to devote to this important role. The position isn't paid, but expenses will be met. It also offers the opportunity of a high profile position within the borough and the satisfaction of making a difference to the local community."

If the idea of getting involved in the, Better Borough interests you but you don't want to be a chairman, then you are also welcome to find out more about other ways of making a difference.

Contact Local Agenda 21 officer Caroline Farrar on 8891 7806 or send an email to cfarrar@richmond.gov.uk. Applications are welcome until the end of February 2003. Initially the position is for a period of two years.

Rotary cash

CHARITIES in Richmond upon Thames will be better off by £6,880 thanks to borough residents and Richmond Rotary Club.

A total of 22 charities and good causes will receive donations raised through the club's Christmas collections.

President Tom Scowcroft said: We would like thank the residents of Richmond, Barnes, Sheen, Richmond and Ham for their generous response when we accompanied Santa Claus on his visits to the area.

Mr Scowcroft added: A further £750 resulted from our Letters from Santa Claus scheme, which operated by post rather than expensive phone calls. Many people told us how much their children appreciated the messages they received.

The balance of our distribution comes from funds we accumulated at various events in 2002, all of which depended on the generosity of the public, for which we, and the recipients are extremely grateful''.

Prize exhibits

THE Museum of Richmond needs helpers for the office. Can call Stephanie Kirkpatrick on 8332 1141.

January 31, 2003 11:32