A CHEQUE for a magnificent £1,000 was presented to a global charity providing humanitarian aid to thousands of people in Africa by Okehampton Rotary Club recently. The cheque was presented to Kay Rouse (pictured left), representing Mercy Ships, during a lunch at Betty Cottles restaurant near Okehampton. Last year, Rotary International launched a year of fundraising to raise money for an ophthalmic operating theatre on the world?s largest hospital ship African Mercy. Members heard a moving account of work by unpaid volunteer doctors and nurses on the charity?s sister ship, Anastasis, by Ms Rouse, a theatre sister based at Derriford Hospital. Ian Bailey, of Okehampton Rotary Club, was a keen supporter of the charity during his term of office as president. He was delighted when an auction following the lunch at Betty Cottles increased the amount the club was able to give to Mercy Ships by £500, which was presented to Ms Rouse. Mike Macklin thanked Brian Hutchings for his work in organising the successful lunch.
