THE club has just had its overseas charity meeting and this year we are supporting the African Maternity Health Link.

This charity was set up by Helena White, a midwife at the Alexandra Hospital, and she came to speak to us accompanied by Karen Cauvin who is also a midwife and both are about to go back again to Africa in the near future. The charity operates in Sierra Leone which in 2009 was in the bottom ranking for human development. One in eight women risk dying during pregnancy and childbirth, and 25 per cent of children die before their fifth birthday.

There is now a link with the Lumley Government Hospital in Freetown, and the charity aims to share midwifery skills and provide equipment when necessary. They are helping local midwives learn new initiatives such as neonatal resuscitation, and know that improving birth outcomes is through education and training.

To continue this work, they need to raise funds for everything they do, and any equipment they take with them. (They are looking for a laptop to take out on their impending visit). The club hopes to continue to help this deserving cause. The meeting was also attended by our district overseas chairman, Marilyn Craddick who praised the club for its ongoing fundraising efforts. Our next fundraiser is a quiz next Saturday, the proceeds of which are going to our home charity, Cyberknife.