ö AS part of our 170th anniversary celebrations, the County Gazette has launched a Community Fund to give a platform to the exceptional voluntary work which goes on throughout our community.

ö We have been asking local organisations to write in and tell us why they need fundraising support. We are featuring one of the groups each week in the Gazette, and this week its the turn of Victim Support Somerset.

Community Fund organisations so far ö The Albemarle Centre ö The New Build Appeal, St Margaret's Hospice ö ESCAPE Support Group providing activities for disabled children and their families ö Mindline Somerset ö SAB C Somerset Association for the Blind ö Taunton Well Woman Centre ö Home-Start Taunton Deane ö Somerset Wildlife Trust ö 1st Wellington Scout Group ö East Somerset Railway ö Kingsmead School Society ö Chedzoy Pre-School ö HELP C Holiday Endeavour for Lone Parents ö St John Ambulance Taunton Combined Adult Division ö Somerset Cancer Care ö Victim Support Somerset ö The Open Door C Taunton's homeless charity ö North Town Primary School (new sensory room planned for special needs children) ö Norton Fitzwarren Village Hall Chair Appeal ö Norton Fitzwarren Pre-School ö Moon Bear Rescue (Quantocks based) ö Somerset Prostate Cancer Support Association ö Reminiscence Learning ö Conquest Centre ö Taunton Sea Cadets ö Pawlett Village Playgroup ö Taunton Vale Disability Club ö Wellington St John Ambulance ö Selworthy School ö BIBIC, Pawlett ö Carer Support Programme (CSP) helping parents who bring up/care for disabled children in the county ö Labrador Rescue Trust in Somerset ö Hemyock Pre-School ö Huish Woods Scout Camp Site C also the centenary year of Scouting ö Buckland St Mary Pre-School ö Taunton Beekeepers ö Holy Cross Church, Hillfarrance ö Taunton & District Mencap ö Taunton Womens Refuge ö Staplegrove Scout Group ö SASBAH Somerset Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus ö Taunton Deane Association for Neighbourhood Care ö Taunton Opportunity Playgroup ö Ruishton Ladies C knitting Taunton Sea Cadets THE Taunton Sea Cadets is a self-funded charity. Each Sea Cadet unit, and there are many up and down the country, are responsible for raising their own funds to pay for the cadets to attend training courses C for example, spending time at military establishments learning new skills, or sailing on training ships.

They also have to raise capital to run the unit administration, such as purchasing computers, photocopiers etc. Raising the profile and capital are difficult at the best of times and most people assume that a Services bases organisation such as this would be funded by the Royal Navy, which is incorrect.

Any donations of cash, equipment, or even voluntary staff with an interest in developing young people would be more than welcome. The Unit is based at the UK Hydrographic Office, Admiralty Way, Taunton. Or contact the management committee chairman, Mr Smith 01823-326997.