The Newquay Voice - 12th July 2006 

St Columb Rotary Club helped raise more than £4000 for charity with sponsored zip-wire and abseil descents.

Club members, led by last year's president Graham Cockcroft, organised this year's Rotary district conference at Newquay's Hotel Bristol in March.

As part of this event, recently retired Rotary district governor, John Grindle, who challenged Rotary clubs from all over the district to 'launch their presidents' by sponsoring them to abseil and descend by zip-wire to Lusty Glaze Beach, with a little help from Lusty Glaze Adventure Centre. 

Mr Grindle happily took part in the descent, along with club president Mr Cockcroft. 

More than £4000 was raised by the event, and St Columb Rotary members nominated three charities to receive the funds.  Half the money was given to 'Cardiac Risk in the Young' (CRY), a charity suggested by Mr Cockcroft. 

The organisation works to identify young people with potential cardiac problems.  The presentation was made by John Grindle to Judy Street, Cornwall organiser of CRY, at the St Columb Rotary Club handover dinner at the Hotel Bristol last week. 

During the evening, Mr Cockcroft handed over the club presidency to Rob Spowart. 

A further £1300 raised by the club through other charitable events during Mr Cockcroft's presidency was also presented to Ms Street.

Mr Cockcroft thanked all involved with raising the money, saying: "Without the support of the St Columb community, the local Rotary club would not be able to help this and other local and international projects." 

One quarter of the total money raised went to the Falmouth 'Buy a Boat' scheme, intended to help fishermen who survived the Asian Tsunami. 

The remaining money supported the local Rotary district's Overseas Project Team, which is establishing a new children's hospice in Eastern Europe.