WESTERN BUREAU - The annual fundraiser of the Associated Hanover Charities (AHC) takes place tonight at the prestigious Round Hotel in Hanover.

For more than 45 years, the AHC has been staging the event to raise funds to assist several charities, needy individuals and organisations in the parish. Last year, the AHC raised in excess of US$120,000.

"The 2003 fundraiser has been yet another record in the Hanover Charities' history," said Katherine Casserly, vice-chairman of AHC. "We are particularly thrilled about it, (especially since it had to overcome) the war in Iraq and worldwide economic challenges," she added.

Beneficiaries of the fundraiser include a number of basic schools, private and public agencies and a wide range of programmes geared towards enhancing the parish's development.

Requests for funding are carefully investigated, and beneficiaries are screened to ensure that the fund is not abused.

The AHC is the largest charity organisation at the western end of the island. It was founded in 1957 by the late William Hornby DeLisser, a former Custos of Hanover, and Lady Monson (now Bettie Phillips), who were both shareholders in the Round Hill andTryall properties.

Tonight's fundraiser will include an auction of several pieces of jewellery as well as the drawing of the Sugar Cane Carnival Raffle 2004.

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