Peter Marenghi is today running the London Marathon and hoping to raise £10,000 for The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (www.msrc.co.uk). At the recent A.V.C. Cena we raised £125 towards his cause, we could like to thank all those who dug deep and helped Peter towards his goal. He is very near his target, having so far raised £8,945.73; if you would like to donate, you can do so by visiting his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/petermarenghi. Just because the Marathon is today does not mean donations have to be in by today! There is still plenty of time to show your support.

We would like to wish Peter the best of luck for today.

Buona fortuna da noi tutti!

By Dino Carpanini.

One of the charitable organisations that the committee of the Amici Val Ceno sponsor is Workaid, by subsidising the transport costs from the Rhondda to Workaid depot in Amersham,Bucks, Nr London.

Something about our contribution to Workaid,which was developed here in Rhondda at the latter part of 2001,by Joe Cavalli of Treorchy (and san Siro di Bardi).On my return from my annual holiday in Grezzo,Bardi,Italy I was invited to join Joe in his endevours in collecting unwanted sewing machines,typewriters,knitting machines,all sorts of carpentry,mechanical,building and gardening tools for eventual dispatch to various institutions in Africa; also Peru and Romania.

About Workaid, it is a UK based organisation which this year alone has completed about 120 projects mainly in Kenya,Zambia,Uganda and Tanzania. The projects mainly are the training up of youngsters to quite a high proficiency standard in various occupations so that eventually they become self supporting.

The occupationsfor girls are mainly secretarial, dressmaking, tailoring .While the boys are mainly engaged in carpentry,building,plumbing and electrical, remembering that in many instances their formal education (where available)at fourteen have zero opportunities,for further education or job prospects.Also its worth mentioning that in so many areas they are without electricity or reasonable road connections.

So when they eventually complete their occupational courses and return home,unless they have the tools of their specific trade the initial excersise would be futile and any hope for a better future lost. Thus,by Workaid subsidising them with euipment and tools and with the helpof organisations suchasVSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) of which Robert Basini of Treochy was a part fortwo yearsinkenya.in helpingthem develop their further independence not only for themselves but for generations to come.

“Give the man a fish,you feed him for a day; Give the man a rod you feed him for life”.

For further information contact
Joe Cavalli, 01443 773889
Dino Carpanini, 01443 430958
Workaid direct email: workaid@btclick.com
Website. Homebyclick.com/workaid.

Dewston Golf Club

Amici Val Ceno / Vision Foundation Golf

The first combined golf day of the Vision Foundation and the Amici Val Ceno Golf Society took place at Dewston Golf Club on 29 May. Fourteen teams of four players participated. The best individual score would win the prestigious Amici Val Ceno Cup and the best winning team would receive the Vision Foundation cut glass decanter and glasses.

The delightful Dewston golf course near Chepstow, with its lovely rolling fairways and many strategically placed trees set the scene for the enthusiastic golfers. The greens were in excellent condition in spite of recent heavy downpours.

The conditions on the day were good, with just a few light showers catching the early starters, but by early afternoon the sun broke through and we all enjoyed a bright but breezy day’s golf.

The added incentive of good prizes for “longest drive” and “nearest the pin” brought out the best in many of the players.

The overall winner was Tony Lewis, of the sponsoring Heritage Consultants Team, with an excellent score of 41 points. Tony also took the prize for the longest drive.

The team prize with the three best scores counting on each hole, with 131 points, was claimed by the Peter Croci team, with the Heritage Consultancy Team a close second and Luigi Basini’s team in third place.

The day proved to be very successful due to the joining of the long-established Amici Val Ceno Golf Society and the Vision Foundation, on which three members of the AVC committee serve as trustees of the Ebbw Vale based charity, thus encouraging a closer alliance between both societies to further the charitable aims of the Vision Foundation in helping visually-impaired children.

Dewston Golf Club proved to be the most hospitable of hosts-so much so that the venue has been booked for next year on June 11th 2003.

Interested parties please contact Vision Foundation Resource Centre, tel / fax 01495 309500.