Charity/voluntary

By Ian Proctor

People with learning disabilities are being helped to live more independently thanks to a long-established Pinner charity.

Link Up organises courses, activities and trips to improve the confidence of up to 250 of Harrow's most vulnerable people so they can find friends, advice and jobs.

Barclays has teamed up with the Harrow Observer Series to give a local charity the opportunity to win cash to help it fullfil its dreams.

It is offering a first prize of s1,000 and two runner up prizes of s500 in the 2008 Let's Do It community awards.

A hospice charity is looking for volunteers to help staff its shops and bring in much-needed funding.
Shop helpers are needed for St Luke's Hospice shops in Pinner, Harrow, Harrow Weald, South Harrow, Wembley, Kingsbury, Rayners Lane, Burnt Oak, Stanmore and North Harrow.
Volunteers only needs to commit to four hours, one shift per week, 9.30am to 1.15pm or 1.15pm to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Responsibilities include serving customers, sorting through donated items and steaming clothing, there is something for everyone.
The shops make a substantial contribution to meeting the costs of providing Hospice care at Kenton Grange.
Training will be provided and volunteers get a 10 per cent discount.
To find out more call 0750579275 or visit www.stlukes-hospice.org.

By Ian Proctor

The Roxeth Show - South Harrow's annual community fair - celebrates its 30th anniversary this weekend.
It will also bring to 10 the number of years that the popular event has been run by Harrow and Pinner Lions, a voluntary charitable organisation.
The attractions include a funfair, a dog agility show, a Wild West show, five-a-side football, a circus skills workshops, classic cars, charity and trade stalls and a bar.
For the fifth year, HA2CANDO, a carnival parade comprising children in fancy dress from South Harrow's primary schools, will parade through the streets before entering the show ground for the finale.
New for 2008 is Sunday's fun dog show - including categories such as most handsome hound, waggiest tail and pooch with the most appealing eyes - that costs £1 to enter. All the proceeds will go to Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
The Roxeth Show takes place between 11am and 6pm on Saturday (12) and 11am and 5pm on Sunday (13) at Roxeth Recreation Ground off Eastcote Road, South Harrow.
On both days there is a free shuttle bus service from outside Bovis Homes, Northolt Road, South Harrow.

A volunteering scheme aimed at the Asian community has been launched in Harrow.

SewaVolunteers is working in conjunction with a number of charities including Harrow Mencap,Middlesex Association for the Blind and Age Concern Harrow to recruit new volunteers.

If you are interested in joining contact www.sewavolunteers.org or call 020 7193 7108.

Two children's playgrounds have been given a makeover thanks to nearly half a million pounds of Lotto cash.