WESTERN BUREAU — The Associated Hanover Charities (AHC), a non-profit charity organisation on Wednesday presented cheques valued at over $4-million to several of the parish’s organisations and individuals at a brief ceremony held in the Pineapple Room of the Round Hill Hotel and Villas.

Recipients include a number of basic, primary and high schools, private and public agencies and a wide range of programmes that are geared towards enhancing the development of Hanover.

The AHC is the largest charity organisation in 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 Betty Phillips), who were shareholders in the Round Hill and Tryall properties.

For the past 45 years, the AHC has staged a fund-raising event, an elegant ball called ‘Sugar Cane Carnival’, at the prestigious Round Hill Hotel and Villas.

This year’s event, which was staged in February, raised a record US$125,000, which represents an increase of US$13,000 over the amount collected last year.

“We were particularly thrilled about raising this amount, considering the events of September 11 and other worldwide financial crises,” AHC vice-chairman Katrin Casserly said.

“Despite all the problems, we were pleased to say that we gained support from locals and foreigners and we thanked them immensely,” she added.

This year, there were more than 80 beneficiaries. Chief among them was the Orchard Sports Complex, near Hopewell.

The project, which is being spearheaded by the Hanover Jaycees, received $815,000. The money will be used to install lighting at the facility as well as to finance architectural designs for the proposed expansion of the complex.

The AHC has also earmarked $2-million to assist in the construction of an infirmary at the Round Hill Estate, on one acre of land donated by land baron Major Jeremy Monson.