In my short speech to those who attended the November Party (report follows below) at Ashford, Kent on the 9^th November, I pointed out that the Fund has been busier than at any time in it’s 14-year history – we had helped 7 families in the last 6 weeks and had paid out £4,000. At that rate our coffers will be empty within a year or two. Also, it meant that the Tyrant was beating us in our own, new, back gardens wherever they may be in the world. My plea was "Do not let the Madman win – we can and MUST help Rhodesians/Zimbabweans as they flee our once fair, once prosperous, once happy little country!"

The effect was instantaneous, a typical response from a proud people when they hear the call to arms (in this case, alms). The strip raffle raised over £500 in under twenty minutes, the auction prompted generous bids from every corner of the banqueting hall and must have raised well over £1500, a very staunch Rhodesian wrote out a cheque for £100 there and then, and a guest immediately donated £20. Stirring stuff, and it was very hard not to get quite emotional. Thank you everyone!

That was not all – following on from my appeal in the last magazine, donations have been coming in at a steady trickle ever since. I haven’t had permission to print some donor’s names, but we had one single donation of £1000 from a great RW supporter in Australia, a £100 gift from friends I hadn’t been in touch with for a few years, a couple of £50 cheques, and a number of vital, smaller donations. And there’s more – we had a fabulous donation of stamps and the Livingstone silver salver which raised well over £100, a £50 donation from the sale of framed Chrystal Wynn paintings, a £500 donation from Sid COOPER from the sale of his Rhodesian miniatures (Honours and Awards), all the proceeds (£65) from the sale of Mike BRAHAM’s presentation set of Rhodesian stamps, and there are bound to be a few other important generous gifts which I’ve not recorded here. I can only say a very big "Thank you!" to everyone concerned, and God Bless you.

I’ve said this before, but my goodness, Rhodesians know how to party! Over 200 of the Tribe and guests boogied the night away at the 2002 November Dinner/Dance at the Ashford International Hotel. Remember the band Edison Lighthouse?, well, they kept the dance floor absolutely packed for a few hours, and when a DJ followed them the movement to the beat just intensified. What a wonderful, happy Party! Huge congratulations must go to Will and Viv RANSOM who organised this year’s event single-handedly. Months of meticulous preparation and negotiation, taking hundreds of phone calls, and poring over the computer for hours on end all contributed to one highly successful function which could not have been enjoyed more by those who attended. Over the weekend Will and Viv had some help from a number of volunteers (thank you all), and we must say a very big thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets for the Grand Draw (won by A.E. NASH). The end result….. wait for it, I hear that the Party raised close to £4,000. A fantastic effort! Next year the Party will be held in the Reading area and will be led by Jean KEELING and John O’BRIEN with back-up from the team at the RW West Lavington Branch.

The RWAF welcomes a newly appointed Trustee and Chairman of the RW Branches, Ron WILLIAMS. Ron, with his drive and enthusiasm, will add a new dimension to the RWAF’s determination to help the needy; and Stuart SAWYERS takes over as the new Fund Treasurer. His efficient attitude to all matters of finance will be most welcome. The next report will detail accounts for the past 6 months – no room this time.