A wine-tasting evening at de Stafford School in Caterham has raised over £500 for local charity C.H.E.C.K.(Community Health and Education for Children of Kimilili). The event marked the launch of C.H.E.C.K. which is continuing the work of the de Stafford Kenya Project started by de Stafford teacher Geraint Jenkins M.B.E. 30 years ago.

Geraint's association with Kimilili started when he was a Voluntary Service Overseas teacher in Kimilili RC Boys Secondary School between 1974-76.

Over the years the people of Caterham and surrounding areas have supported the community in Kimilili with over £125,000 raised and 120 volunteers travelling to Kenya, at their own expense, to improve the town's four schools.

Sam Gyimah MP attended the launch event, saying afterwards: "The drive and commitment of Geraint Jenkins is phenomenal.

Over the last 30 years he has given an incredible amount to raising the educational standards in Kimilili.

Always looking to do more, though, he has taken the next step to make C.H.E.C.K. a registered charity so that it can continue to develop the infrastructure of the schools and support the health programmes in the village. Its launch is a celebration of all the good it's done over the years, but I know this is just the beginning of a new phase of renewed vigour in looking to better the lives of those youngsters out in Kenya".

For more information call Geraint Jenkins on 01959 564772 or visit www.surreycommunity. info/check