PRINCE William and his bride-to-be, Miss Catherine Middleton, have intimated that they did not wish to receive an abundance of gifts on the occasion of their marriage on April 29 and have asked that donations be made to a favourite charity.

I am urging all our clubs in the national Association of Past Rotarians to make such a gesture.

I am asking them to make their annual charity donations to worthy causes of their own choice – usually local – but to do so in the name of their club and to do so in commemoration of the wedding day and the special wishes of the happy couple.

I would like to think that other clubs and organisations, local and national, will do the same as a tribute to the two young people who have been so clear in their thinking about the needs of other less fortunate then themselves.

Anyone interested in our association will find us on pastrotarians.com

ROI THOMAS, president, Association of Past Rotarians, Seafield Road, Bournemouth