We ended 2008 with a very successful series of Christmas Charity collections. During 10 evenings taking the Santa float around Poole and three days at Sainsburys in Alder Road, local people donated over £4,700, up over 1% on 2007. Given people's current economic situation, the club felt that this was a tremendous result and would like to thank all those who donated so generously.

Attention in January is focussed on conducting mock interviews at Lytchett Minster School. Working in partnership with teachers at the school, the club has adapted its model company so that students can experience a real life situation of applying and being interviewed for their first job. A comment from pupils last year shows how successful this can be. "The Manor PLC interview came just before my interview to get a work experience place. What I learned got me the place!"