The Cornish charity, Global Natural Healthcare Trust (GNHCT), has been adopted by the Citizenship for Life programme (C4L) a programme, funded by the County Council and local businesses, designed to enable young people to be better citizens.

The scheme matches individuals from the business community who then act as mentors to teenagers and it is hope that through this new ‘adoption’, students will learn how harsh life is when the things we take for granted like housing, clean water and food are not available.

The C4L group were inspired to sponsor the GNHCT after a presentation by the Charity’s founder, Annette Montague-Thomas, who runs a clinic and orphans’ reception centre on a settlement in South Africa where the inhabitants live in abject poverty, and where she treats children suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Spokesperson, Susan O’Donovan, who organised the “Ladies Who Lunch” talk earlier this year told Roseland Online, “Whilst teenager’s priorities might involve agonising about which mobile ‘phone or brand of trainers to buy, many of their counterparts in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to clean water or proper shelter. The youngsters in Annette’s care have even lost the network of family and friends we all take for granted.”

The adoption of the Charity means that the students involved will raise awareness in their schools of the plight of their contemporaries in countries like South Africa which are in the grip of the AIDS pandemic. They will also organise fund-raising events in their schools and communities for the Charity.

After the popular success of the June lunch event, held at Trelissick Farm on the Roseland, the Charity is to hold another “Ladies Who Lunch” at Veryan Parish Hall on Thursday 18th October at 12 noon. The cost of attending will be £12.50 and will include two courses with a choice of hot or cold food and a glass of wine. Places are limited so early booking is recommended. Information and tickets can be obtained by ringing 01872 530500 or emailing suzegweltek@btinternet.com